Emergency User Interfaces in Telematic Systems

ABSTRACT

Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic monitoring devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices. The present disclosure also relates to detecting temperature of batteries, as well as emergency input and messages for telematic monitoring systems.

PRIOR APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 17/739,576 titled “Emergency User Interfaces inTelematic Systems”, filed on May 9, 2022, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63/196,908 titled “Battery Devices,Systems, and Methods for Use with Telematics”, filed on Jun. 4, 2021.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to battery devices, systemswhich include battery devices, and methods for using battery devices,and in particular relates to providing and operating battery backupdevices in telematics systems.

BACKGROUND

Telematics systems have been employed by fleet owners to monitor use andperformance of vehicles in the fleet. While this has resulted inimproved performance and maintenance of vehicles in the fleet, suchtelematics systems are dependent on power from vehicles.

SUMMARY

According to a broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a systemcomprising: a telematic monitoring device capable of obtaining data andpower from a vehicle; a battery device electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device, the battery device including controlcircuitry and at least one battery, the battery device operable in aplurality of modes including at least: a first mode where the batterydevice receives power from the vehicle, and provision of power to the atleast one battery is enabled to charge the at least one battery; asecond mode where the battery device receives power from the vehicle,and provision of power to the at least one battery is disabled; a thirdmode where the battery device does not receive power from the vehicle,the battery device provides power to the telematic monitoring device,and provision of power to the at least one battery is disabled; andwherein the control circuitry of the battery device is operable toselect a mode of operation of the battery device from the plurality ofmodes, the control circuitry to cause the battery device to: operate inthe first mode when the vehicle is on and the telematic monitoringdevice is electrically coupled to the vehicle; operate in the secondmode when the vehicle is off and the telematic monitoring device iselectrically coupled to the vehicle; and operate in the third mode whenthe telematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to thevehicle.

In the third mode the battery device may provide a first quantity ofpower to the telematic monitoring device to operate the telematicmonitoring device in a full power mode; the control circuitry may beoperable to cause the battery device to operate in the third mode whenthe telematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to thevehicle and: the vehicle is in motion or the vehicle is on; theplurality of modes in which the battery device is operable may furtherinclude a fourth mode where the battery device does not receive powerfrom the vehicle, provision of power to the at least one battery isdisabled, and the battery device provides a second quantity of power tothe telematic monitoring device lower than the first quantity of power,to operate the telematic monitoring device in a low power mode whichconsumes less power than the full power mode; and the control circuitrymay be operable to cause the battery device to operate in the fourthmode when the telematic monitoring device is not coupled to the vehicleand: the vehicle is not in motion or the vehicle is off.

In the full power mode the telematic monitoring device may be in anactive state where data is processed and sent over a communicationnetwork; and in the low power mode the telematic monitoring device maybe in a sleep state, and periodically enter a wake state to checkwhether there is new data to be sent over the communication network.

The plurality of modes may include a fifth mode where provision of powerfrom the at least one battery is disabled; and the control circuitry ofthe battery device may be operable to cause the battery device tooperate in the fifth mode when the battery device is disconnected fromthe telematic monitoring device. The system may further comprise atleast one peripheral device electrically coupled to the battery device,wherein: in the first mode, provision of power from the battery deviceto the at least one peripheral device is enabled; in the second mode,provision of power from the battery device to the at least oneperipheral device is enabled; in the third mode, provision of power fromthe battery device to the at least one peripheral device is disabled; inthe fourth mode, provision of power from the battery device to the atleast one peripheral device is disabled; and in the fifth mode,provision of power from the battery device to the at least oneperipheral device is disabled.

The system may further comprise at least one peripheral deviceelectrically coupled to the battery device, wherein: in the first mode,provision of power from the battery device to the at least oneperipheral device is enabled; in the second mode, provision of powerfrom the battery device to the at least one peripheral device isenabled; and in the third mode, provision of power from the batterydevice to the at least one peripheral device is disabled.

The plurality of modes may include a fourth mode where provision ofpower from the at least one battery is disabled; and the controlcircuitry of the battery device may be operable to cause the batterydevice to operate in the fourth mode when the battery device isdisconnected from the telematic monitoring device.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to detectwhether the vehicle is on.

The control circuitry may be operable to detect whether the vehicle ison based on data selected from the group consisting of: ignition datafrom the telematic monitoring device which indicates a state of anignition of the vehicle; voltage measurement data which indicates avoltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of whether thevehicle is on; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage levelof power from the vehicle, indicative of voltage fluctuations caused byan ignition event of the vehicle; acceleration data from anaccelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematicmonitoring device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; and audiodata from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device whichincludes a representation of an engine noise of the vehicle. The systemmay further comprise at least one peripheral device electrically coupledto the battery device, wherein the control circuitry is operable todetect whether the vehicle is on based on data selected from the groupconsisting of: acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertialmeasurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral device whichindicates the vehicle is vibrating; and audio data from an audio sensorof the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation ofan engine noise of the vehicle.

A processing unit in the telematic monitoring device may be operable todetect whether the vehicle is on based on data selected from the groupconsisting of: ignition data from the vehicle which indicates a state ofan ignition of the vehicle; voltage measurement data which indicates avoltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of whether thevehicle is on; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage levelof power from the vehicle, indicative of voltage fluctuations caused byan ignition event of the vehicle; acceleration data from anaccelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematicmonitoring device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; and audiodata from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device whichincludes a representation of an engine noise of the vehicle, and thetelematic monitoring device may be operable to send a signal to thebattery device indicating whether the vehicle is on.

The system may further comprise at least one peripheral deviceelectrically coupled to the battery device, wherein a processing unit inthe at least one peripheral device is operable to detect whether thevehicle is on based on data selected from the group consisting of:acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit(IMU) of the at least one peripheral device which indicates the vehicleis vibrating; and audio data from an audio sensor of the at least oneperipheral device which includes a representation of an engine noise ofthe vehicle, and the at least one peripheral device may be operable tosend a signal to the battery device indicating whether the vehicle ison.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to detectwhether the vehicle is in motion.

The control circuitry may be operable to detect whether the vehicle isin motion based on data selected from the group consisting of:positional data from a location sensor of the telematic monitoringdevice which indicates a change in position or a movement speed of thevehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurementunit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicatesacceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of thetelematic monitoring device which includes a representation of movementnoise of the vehicle; and image data from an image sensor of thetelematic monitoring device which includes a representation of achanging environment of the vehicle.

The system may further comprise at least one peripheral deviceelectrically coupled to the battery device, wherein the controlcircuitry is operable to detect whether the vehicle is in motion basedon data selected from the group consisting of: positional data from alocation sensor of the at least one peripheral device which indicates achange in position or a movement speed of the vehicle; acceleration datafrom an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at leastone peripheral device which indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audiodata from an audio sensor of the at least one peripheral device whichincludes a representation of movement noise of the vehicle; and imagedata from an image sensor of the at least one peripheral device whichincludes a representation of a changing environment of the vehicle.

A processing unit in the telematic monitoring device may be operable todetect whether the vehicle is in motion based on data selected from thegroup consisting of: positional data from a location sensor of thetelematic monitoring device which indicates a change in position or amovement speed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometeror inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring devicewhich indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audiosensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes arepresentation of movement noise of the vehicle; and image data from animage sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes arepresentation of a changing environment of the vehicle, and thetelematic monitoring device may be operable to send a signal to thebattery device indicating whether the vehicle is in motion.

The system may further comprise at least one peripheral deviceelectrically coupled to the battery device, wherein a processing unit inthe at least one peripheral device is operable to detect whether thevehicle is in motion based on data selected from the group consistingof: positional data from a location sensor of the at least oneperipheral device which indicates a change in position or a movementspeed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer orinertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral devicewhich indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audiosensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes arepresentation of movement noise of the vehicle; and image data from animage sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes arepresentation of a changing environment of the vehicle, further whereinthe at least one peripheral device is operable to send a signal to thebattery device indicating whether the vehicle is on.

The telematic monitoring device may be operable to output a signalindicative of disconnection in response to the telematic monitoringdevice being disconnected from the vehicle. The signal indicative ofdisconnection may be an audible sound. The signal indicative ofdisconnection may be an electronic signal communicated over acommunication network.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to: detectwhen power to the battery device is disconnected; detect whether thebattery device is electrically coupled to the telematic monitoringdevice; and instruct the telematic monitoring device to transmit asignal indicative of disconnection of power when power to the batterydevice is disconnected and the battery device is electrically coupled tothe telematic monitoring device.

Power received by the battery device from the vehicle may be receivedvia the telematic monitoring device.

The battery device may comprise power circuitry for provisioning powerwithin the battery device. The power circuitry may further provisionpower input to and output from the battery device.

The control circuitry may be operable to select a mode of operationbased on at least data selected from the group consisting of: vehicledata provided to the battery device through the telematic monitoringdevice; sensor data from at least one sensor of the telematic monitoringdevice; instruction data from the telematic monitoring device; andsensor data from sensors of the battery device.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes abattery device comprising: control circuitry; at least one battery;wherein the battery device is electrically couplable to a telematicmonitoring device capable of obtaining data and power from a vehicle,and the battery device is operable in a plurality of modes including atleast: a first mode where the battery device receives power from thevehicle, and provision of power to the at least one battery is enabledto charge the at least one battery; a second mode where the batterydevice receives power from the vehicle, and provision of power to the atleast one battery is disabled; a third mode where the battery deviceprovides power to the telematic monitoring device, and charging of theat least one battery is disabled; and wherein the control circuitry isoperable to cause the battery device to: operate in the first mode whenthe vehicle is on and the telematic monitoring device is electricallycoupled to the vehicle; operate in the second mode when the vehicle isoff and the telematic monitoring device is electrically coupled to thevehicle; and operate in the third mode when the telematic monitoringdevice is not electrically coupled to the vehicle.

In the third mode the battery device may provide a first quantity ofpower to the telematic monitoring device to operate the telematicmonitoring device in a full power mode; the control circuitry may beoperable to cause the battery device to operate in the third mode whenthe telematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to thevehicle and: the vehicle is in motion or the vehicle is on; theplurality of modes in which the battery device is operable may furtherinclude a fourth mode where the battery device does not receive powerfrom the vehicle, provision of power to the at least one battery isdisabled, and the battery device provides a second quantity of power tothe telematic monitoring device lower than the first quantity of power,to operate the telematic monitoring device in a low power mode whichconsumes less power than the full power mode; and the control circuitrymay be operable to cause the battery device to operate in the fourthmode when the telematic monitoring device is not coupled to the vehicleand: the vehicle is not in motion or the vehicle is off.

In the full power mode the telematic monitoring device may be in anactive state where data is processed and sent over a communicationnetwork, the first quantity of power to operate the telematic monitoringdevice in the active state; and in the low power mode the telematicmonitoring device may be in a sleep state, and periodically enter a wakestate to check whether there is new data to be sent over thecommunication network, the second quantity of power to operate thetelematic monitoring device in the sleep state and the wake state.

The plurality of modes may include a fifth mode where provision of powerfrom the at least one battery is disabled; and the control circuitry ofthe battery device may be operable to cause the battery device tooperate in the fifth mode when the battery device is disconnected fromthe telematic monitoring device.

The battery device may be electrically couplable to at least oneperipheral device; in the first mode, provision of power from thebattery device to the at least one peripheral device may be enabled; inthe second mode, provision of power from the battery device to the atleast one peripheral device may be enabled; in the third mode, provisionof power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral devicemay be disabled; in the fourth mode, provision of power from the batterydevice to the at least one peripheral device may be disabled; and in thefifth mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at leastone peripheral device may be disabled.

The battery device may be electrically couplable to at least oneperipheral device; in the first mode, provision of power from thebattery device to the at least one peripheral device may be enabled; inthe second mode, provision of power from the battery device to the atleast one peripheral device may be enabled; and in the third mode,provision of power from the battery device to the at least oneperipheral device may be disabled.

The plurality of modes may include a fourth mode where provision ofpower from the at least one battery is disabled; and the controlcircuitry of the battery device may be operable to cause the batterydevice to operate in the fourth mode when the battery device isdisconnected from the telematic monitoring device.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to detectwhether the vehicle is on.

The control circuitry may be operable to detect whether the vehicle ison based on data selected from the group consisting of: ignition datafrom the telematic monitoring device which indicates a state of anignition of the vehicle; voltage measurement data which indicates avoltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of whether thevehicle is on; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage levelof power from the vehicle, indicative of voltage fluctuations caused byan ignition event of the vehicle; acceleration data from anaccelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematicmonitoring device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; audio datafrom an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes arepresentation of an engine noise of the vehicle; and status datagenerated by a processing unit of the telematic monitoring device whichindicates whether the vehicle is on.

The battery device may be electrically couplable to at least oneperipheral device; and the control circuitry may be operable to detectwhether the vehicle is on based on data selected from the groupconsisting of: acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertialmeasurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral device whichindicates the vehicle is vibrating; audio data from an audio sensor ofthe at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of anengine noise of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processingunit of the at least one peripheral device which indicates whether thevehicle is on.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to detectwhether the vehicle is in motion.

The control circuitry may be operable to detect whether the vehicle isin motion based on data selected from the group consisting of:positional data from a location sensor of the telematic monitoringdevice which indicates a change in position or a movement speed of thevehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurementunit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicatesacceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of thetelematic monitoring device which includes a representation of movementnoise of the vehicle; image data from an image sensor of the telematicmonitoring device which includes a representation of a changingenvironment of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processingunit of the telematic monitoring device which indicates whether thevehicle is in motion.

The battery device may be electrically couplable to at least oneperipheral device; and the control circuitry may be operable to detectwhether the vehicle is in motion based on data selected from the groupconsisting of: positional data from a location sensor of the at leastone peripheral device which indicates a change in position or a movementspeed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer orinertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral devicewhich indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audiosensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes arepresentation of movement noise of the vehicle; image data from animage sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes arepresentation of a changing environment of the vehicle; and status datagenerated by a processing unit of the at least one peripheral devicewhich indicates whether the vehicle is in motion.

The battery device may be operable to output a signal indicative ofdisconnection in response to the telematic monitoring device beingdisconnected from the vehicle. The battery device may further comprisean audio output device to output the signal indicative of disconnectionas an audible sound. The battery device may further comprise acommunication interface to output the signal indicative of disconnectionas an electronic signal communicated over a communication network.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to: detectwhen power to the battery device is disconnected; detect whether thebattery device is communicatively coupled to the telematic monitoringdevice; and instruct the telematic monitoring device to transmit asignal indicative of disconnection of power when power to the batterydevice is disconnected and the battery device is coupled to thetelematic monitoring device.

The battery device may be further operable to receive power from thevehicle via the telematic monitoring device.

The battery device may comprise power circuitry for provisioning powerwithin the battery device. The power circuitry may further provisionpower input to and output from the battery device.

The control circuitry may be operable to select a mode of operation ofthe battery device based on at least data selected from the groupconsisting of: vehicle data provided to the battery device through thetelematic monitoring device; sensor data from at least one sensor of thetelematic monitoring device; instruction data from the telematicmonitoring device; and sensor data from sensors of the battery device.

According to yet another broad aspect, the present disclosure describesa method for operating a battery device comprising control circuitry andat least one battery, wherein the battery device is electricallycouplable to a telematic monitoring device capable of obtaining data andpower from a vehicle, the method comprising: selecting, by the controlcircuitry, a select mode of operation for the battery device from aplurality of modes in which the battery device is operable, including:selecting a first mode of the plurality of modes as the select mode whenthe vehicle is on and the telematic monitoring device is electricallycoupled to the vehicle; selecting a second mode of the plurality ofmodes as the select mode when the vehicle is off and the telematicmonitoring device is electrically coupled to the vehicle; and selectinga third mode of the plurality of modes as the select mode when thetelematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to the vehicle;and operating, by the control circuitry, the battery device in theselect mode, wherein: when the first mode is the select mode, thebattery device receives power from the vehicle, and provision of powerto the at least one battery is enabled; when the second mode is theselect mode, the battery device receives power from the vehicle, andprovision of power to the at least one battery is enabled; and when thethird mode is the select mode, the battery device provides power fromthe at least one battery to the telematic monitoring device, andprovision of power to the at least one battery is disabled.

Selecting the third mode may comprise selecting the third mode when thetelematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to the vehicleand: the vehicle is in motion or the vehicle is on; when the third modeis the select mode, the battery device may provide a first quantity ofpower from the at least one battery to the telematic monitoring device,for the telematic monitoring device to operate in a full power mode;selecting a select mode of operation for the battery device from aplurality of modes in which the battery device is operable may furtherinclude: selecting a fourth mode of the plurality of modes as the selectmode when the telematic monitoring device is not coupled to the vehicleand: the vehicle is not in motion or the vehicle is off; and when thefourth mode is the select mode, provision of power to the at least onebattery may be disabled, and the battery device may provide a secondquantity of power to the telematic monitoring device lower than thefirst quantity of power, to operate the telematic monitoring device in alow power mode which consumes less power than the full power mode.

In the full power mode the telematic monitoring device may be in anactive state where data is processed and sent over a communicationnetwork, the first quantity of power provided to operate the telematicmonitoring device in the active state; and in the low power mode thetelematic monitoring device may be in a sleep state, and periodicallyenter a wake state to check whether there is new data to be sent overthe communication network, the second quantity of power provided tooperate the telematic monitoring device in the sleep state and the wakestate.

Selecting a select mode of operation for the battery device from aplurality of modes in which the battery device is operable may furtherinclude: selecting a fifth mode of the plurality of modes as the selectmode when the battery device is disconnected from the telematicmonitoring device; and when the fifth mode is the select mode, provisionof power from the at least one battery may be disabled.

The battery device may be electrically coupled to at least oneperipheral device; when the first mode is the select mode, provision ofpower from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device maybe enabled; when the second mode is the select mode, provision of powerfrom the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may beenabled; when the third mode is the select mode, provision of power fromthe battery device to the at least one peripheral device may bedisabled; when the fourth mode is the select mode, provision of powerfrom the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may bedisabled; and when the fifth mode is the select mode, provision of powerfrom the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may bedisabled.

The battery device may be electrically coupled to at least oneperipheral device; when the first mode is the select mode, provision ofpower from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device maybe enabled; when the second mode is the select mode, provision of powerfrom the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may beenabled; and when the third mode is the select mode, provision of powerfrom the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may bedisabled.

Selecting a select mode of operation for the battery device from aplurality of modes in which the battery device is operable may furtherinclude: selecting a fourth mode of the plurality of modes as the selectmode when the battery device is disconnected from the telematicmonitoring device; and when the fourth mode is the select mode,provision of power from the at least one battery may be disabled.

The method may further comprise detecting, by the control circuitry,whether the vehicle is on.

Detecting, by the control circuitry, whether the vehicle is on may bebased on data selected from the group consisting of: ignition data fromthe telematic monitoring device which indicates a state of an ignitionof the vehicle; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage levelof power from the vehicle, indicative of whether the vehicle is on;voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage level of power fromthe vehicle, indicative of voltage fluctuations caused by an ignitionevent of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer orinertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device whichindicates the vehicle is vibrating; audio data from an audio sensor ofthe telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of anengine noise of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processingunit of the telematic monitoring device which indicates whether thevehicle is on.

The battery device may be electrically coupled to at least oneperipheral device; detecting, by the control circuitry, whether thevehicle is on may be based on data selected from the group consistingof: acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit(IMU) of the at least one peripheral device which indicates the vehicleis vibrating; audio data from an audio sensor of the at least oneperipheral device which includes a representation of an engine noise ofthe vehicle; and status data generated by a processing unit of the atleast one peripheral device which indicates whether the vehicle is on.

The method may further comprise detecting, by the control circuitry,whether the vehicle is in motion.

Detecting, by the control circuitry, whether the vehicle is in motionmay be based on data selected from the group consisting of: positionaldata from a location sensor of the telematic monitoring device whichindicates a change in position or a movement speed of the vehicle;acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit(IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicates acceleration ofthe vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoringdevice which includes a representation of movement noise of the vehicle;image data from an image sensor of the telematic monitoring device whichincludes a representation of a changing environment of the vehicle; andstatus data generated by a processing unit of the telematic monitoringdevice which indicates whether the vehicle is in motion.

The battery device may be electrically coupled to at least oneperipheral device; detecting, by the control circuitry, whether thevehicle is on may be based on data selected from the group consistingof: positional data from a location sensor of the at least oneperipheral device which indicates a change in position or a movementspeed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer orinertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral devicewhich indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audiosensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes arepresentation of movement noise of the vehicle; image data from animage sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes arepresentation of a changing environment of the vehicle; and status datagenerated by a processing unit of the at least one peripheral devicewhich indicates whether the vehicle is in motion.

The method may further comprise outputting a signal indicative ofdisconnection in response to the telematic monitoring device beingdisconnected from the vehicle. Outputting the signal indicative ofdisconnection may comprise outputting an audible sound by an audiooutput device. Outputting the signal indicative of disconnection maycomprise outputting an electronic signal over a communication network bya communication interface.

The method may further comprise: detecting, by the control circuitry,when power to the battery device is disconnected; detecting, by thecontrol circuitry, whether the battery device is electrically coupled tothe telematic monitoring device; and instructing, by the controlcircuitry, the telematic monitoring device to transmit a signalindicative of disconnection of power when power to the battery device isdisconnected and the battery device is electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device.

Receiving power from the vehicle by the battery device may comprisereceiving power from the vehicle via the telematic monitoring device.

Provisioning power within the battery device may be performed by powercircuitry of the battery device. Provisioning power received by thebattery device and power provided by the battery device may be performedby the power circuitry.

Selecting, by the control circuitry, a select mode of operation may bebased on at least data selected from the group consisting of: vehicledata provided to the battery device through the telematic monitoringdevice; sensor data from at least one sensor of the telematic monitoringdevice; instruction data from the telematic monitoring device; andsensor data from sensors of the battery device.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes asystem comprising: a telematic monitoring device capable of obtainingdata and power from a vehicle, the telematic monitoring device operablein a first plurality of modes including at least: a sleep mode whereactivity of the telematic monitoring device is limited; and an awakemode where the telematic monitoring device is operable to transmit awireless signal; and a battery device electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device, the battery device including controlcircuitry, at least one battery, and at least one temperature sensor,the control circuitry operable in a second plurality of modes includingat least: a low-power mode where the control circuitry is inactive; anda measurement mode where the control circuitry is operable to analyzetemperature data from the temperature sensor, wherein: during operationof the control circuitry in the low-power mode, the control circuitry ofthe battery device is operable to transition to operate in themeasurement mode after a set period; during operation of the controlcircuitry in the measurement mode, the control circuitry is operable tocompare a first temperature of the battery indicated in the temperaturedata to a first threshold, and to send a first alert to the telematicmonitoring device if the first temperature of the battery exceeds thefirst threshold; during operation of the telematic monitoring device inthe sleep mode, the telematic monitoring device is operable to transmita second alert to a remote device in response to the receiving the firstalert from the battery device.

The control circuitry may be operable to, during operation of thecontrol circuitry in the measurement mode, transition to the low-powermode if the first temperature of the battery is less than the firstthreshold.

The set period may be initially a first duration, and the controlcircuitry may be operable to, during operation of the control circuitryin the measurement mode: compare the first temperature of the batteryindicated in the temperature data to a second threshold lower than thefirst threshold; and if the first temperature of the battery is higherthan the second threshold and below the first threshold, set the setperiod to a second duration shorter than the first duration andtransition to operate in the low-power mode. The control circuitry maybe operable to, after setting the set period to the second duration andtransitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode:during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode,transition the control circuitry to operate in the measurement modeafter the set period; during operation of the control circuitry in themeasurement mode, compare a second temperature of the battery indicatedin the temperature data from the temperature sensor to the firstthreshold; and send the first alert to the telematic monitoring deviceif the second temperature of the battery exceeds the first threshold.The control circuitry may be operable to, after setting the set periodto the second duration and transitioning the control circuitry tooperate in the low-power mode: during operation of the control circuitryin the low-power mode, transition the control circuitry to operate inthe measurement mode after the set period; during operation of thecontrol circuitry in the measurement mode, compare a second temperatureof the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperaturesensor to the second threshold; if the second temperature of the batteryis below the second threshold, reset the set period to the firstduration. The control circuitry may be operable to, after setting theset period to the second duration and transitioning the controlcircuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation of thecontrol circuitry in the low-power mode, transition the controlcircuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period;during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode,compare a second temperature of the battery indicated in the temperaturedata from the temperature sensor to the second threshold; if the secondtemperature of the battery is below the second threshold, transition thecontrol circuitry to operate in the low-power mode; and if temperatureof the battery has not exceeded the second threshold for a set number ofcomparisons to the second threshold, reset the set period to the firstduration. The control circuitry may be operable to, after setting theset period to the second duration and transitioning the controlcircuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation of thecontrol circuitry in the low-power mode, transition the controlcircuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period;during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode,compare a second temperature of the battery indicated in the temperaturedata from the temperature sensor to the second threshold; if the secondtemperature of the battery is below the second threshold, transition thecontrol circuitry to operate in the low-power mode; and if temperatureof the battery has not exceeded the second threshold for an additionalperiod longer than the set period, reset the set period to the firstduration.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes amethod of operating a telematic monitoring device and a battery deviceelectrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, the telematicmonitoring device operable in a sleep mode where activity of thetelematic monitoring device is limited and an awake mode where thetelematic monitoring device is operable to transmit a wireless signal,the battery device including control circuitry, at least one battery,and at least one temperature sensor, the battery device operable in alow-power mode where the control circuitry is inactive and a measurementmode where the control circuitry is operable to analyze temperature datafrom the temperature sensor, the method comprising: during operation ofthe control circuitry in the low-power mode, transitioning the controlcircuitry to operate in the measurement mode after a set period; duringoperation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, comparing afirst temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data fromthe temperature sensor to a first threshold, and sending a first alertto the telematic monitoring device if the first temperature of thebattery exceeds the first threshold; during operation of the telematicmonitoring device in the sleep mode, in response to the receiving thefirst alert from the battery device, transitioning the telematicmonitoring device to operate in the awake mode to transmit a secondalert to a remote device.

The method may further comprise: during operation of the controlcircuitry in the measurement mode, transitioning the control circuitryto the low-power mode if the first temperature of the battery is lessthan the first threshold.

The set period may be initially a first duration, and the method mayfurther comprise, during operation of the control circuitry in themeasurement mode: comparing the first temperature of the batteryindicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to asecond threshold lower than the first threshold; if the firsttemperature of the battery is higher than the second threshold and belowthe first threshold, setting the set period to a second duration shorterthan the first duration; and transitioning the control circuitry tooperate in the low-power mode. The method may further comprise, aftersetting the set period to the second duration and transitioning thecontrol circuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation ofthe control circuitry in the low-power mode, transitioning the controlcircuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period;during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode,comparing a second temperature of the battery indicated in thetemperature data from the temperature sensor to the first threshold; andsending the first alert to the telematic monitoring device if the secondtemperature of the battery exceeds the first threshold. The method mayfurther comprise, after setting the set period to the second durationand transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-powermode: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode,transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the measurement modeafter the set period; during operation of the control circuitry in themeasurement mode, comparing a second temperature of the batteryindicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to thesecond threshold; if the second temperature of the battery is below thesecond threshold, resetting the set period to the first duration; andtransitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode.The method may further comprise, after setting the set period to thesecond duration and transitioning the control circuitry to operate inthe low-power mode: during operation of the control circuitry in thelow-power mode, transitioning the control circuitry to operate in themeasurement mode after the set period; during operation of the controlcircuitry in the measurement mode, comparing a second temperature of thebattery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor tothe second threshold; if the second temperature of the battery is belowthe second threshold, transitioning the control circuitry to operate inthe low-power mode; and if temperature of the battery has not exceededthe second threshold for a set number of comparisons to the secondthreshold, resetting the set period to the first duration. The methodmay further comprise, after setting the set period to the secondduration and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in thelow-power mode: during operation of the control circuitry in thelow-power mode, transitioning the control circuitry to operate in themeasurement mode after the set period; during operation of the controlcircuitry in the measurement mode, comparing a second temperature of thebattery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor tothe second threshold; if the second temperature of the battery is belowthe second threshold, transitioning the control circuitry to operate inthe low-power mode; and if temperature of the battery has not exceed thesecond threshold for an additional period longer than the set period,resetting the set period to the first duration.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes asystem comprising: a telematic monitoring device capable of obtainingdata and power from a vehicle; a battery device electrically coupled tothe telematic monitoring device, the battery device including at leastone battery and the battery device capable to provide power to thetelematic monitoring device if power from the vehicle is unavailable;and an emergency user interface capable of receiving user inputindicative of an emergency situation, wherein in response to theemergency user interface receiving the user input indicative of anemergency situation, a wireless communication interface of the system isoperable to send an emergency message to be received by a remote device.

The emergency user interface may be included in the telematic monitoringdevice; and the wireless communication interface may be included in thetelematic monitoring device.

The emergency user interface may be included in the battery device. Thewireless communication interface may be included in the battery device.The wireless communication interface may be included in the telematicmonitoring device; and the battery device may be operable to, inresponse to the emergency user interface receiving the user inputindicative of an emergency situation, send the emergency message to thetelematic monitoring device, for sending by the wireless communicationinterface of the telematic monitoring device.

The emergency user interface may be included in a peripheral device ofthe system. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to thebattery device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device. The wireless communication interface may beincluded in the peripheral device. The peripheral device may beelectrically coupled to the battery device; the wireless communicationinterface may be included in the battery device; and in response to theemergency user interface receiving the user input indicative of anemergency situation, the peripheral device may be operable to send theemergency message to the battery device, for sending by the wirelesscommunication interface of the battery device. The peripheral device maybe electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device; the wirelesscommunication interface may be included in the telematic monitoringdevice; and the peripheral device may be operable to, in response to theemergency user interface receiving the user input indicative of anemergency situation, send the emergency message to the telematicmonitoring device, for sending by the wireless communication interfaceof the telematic monitoring device. The peripheral device may beelectrically coupled to the battery device; the wireless communicationinterface may be included in the telematic monitoring device; and inresponse to the emergency user interface receiving the user inputindicative of an emergency situation, the peripheral device may beoperable to send the emergency message to the telematic monitoringdevice via the battery device, for sending by the wireless communicationinterface of the telematic monitoring device.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes amethod of operating a telematic monitoring system including a telematicmonitoring device capable of obtaining data and power from a vehicle, abattery device electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device,the battery device including at least one battery and the battery devicecapable to provide power to the telematic monitoring device if powerfrom the vehicle is unavailable, and an emergency user interface, themethod comprising: receiving, by the emergency user interface, userinput indicative of an emergency situation; in response to the emergencyuser interface receiving the user input indicative of the emergencysituation, sending, by a wireless communication interface of thetelematic monitoring system, an emergency message to be received by aremote device.

The emergency user interface may be included in the telematic monitoringdevice; the wireless communication interface may be included in thetelematic monitoring device; and sending the emergency message maycomprise sending the emergency message by the wireless communicationinterface of the telematic monitoring device to be received by theremote device.

The emergency user interface may be included in the battery device. Thewireless communication interface may be included in the battery device.The wireless communication interface may be included in the telematicmonitoring device; and sending the emergency message to be received bythe remote device may comprise sending, by the battery device, theemergency message to the telematic monitoring device and sending, by thewireless communication interface of the telematic monitoring device, theemergency message to be received by the remote device.

The emergency user interface may be included in a peripheral device ofthe system. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to thebattery device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device. The wireless communication interface may beincluded in the peripheral device. The peripheral device may beelectrically coupled to the battery device; the wireless communicationinterface may be included in the battery device; and sending theemergency message to be received by the remote device may comprisesending, by the peripheral device, the emergency message to the batterydevice and sending, by the wireless communication interface of thebattery device, the emergency message to be received by the remotedevice. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device; the wireless communication interface may beincluded in the telematic monitoring device; and sending the emergencymessage to be received by the remote device may comprise sending, by theperipheral device, the emergency message to the telematic monitoringdevice and sending, by the wireless communication interface of thetelematic monitoring device, the emergency message to be received by theremote device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to thebattery device; the wireless communication interface may be included inthe telematic monitoring device; and sending the emergency message to bereceived by the remote device may comprise sending, by the peripheraldevice, the emergency message to the telematic monitoring device via thebattery device, and sending, by the wireless communication interface ofthe telematic monitoring device, the emergency message to be received bythe remote device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary non-limiting embodiments are described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary telematics system forgathering and storing vehicle information.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are schematic diagrams of respective onboardtelematic monitoring systems, in accordance with at least sixillustrated implementations.

FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are schematic diagrams of respective battery devicesin accordance with at least three exemplary illustrated implementations.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowchart diagrams of respective methods ofoperating battery devices, in accordance with at least two illustratedimplementations.

FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 are schematic diagrams of respective modes ofoperation of battery devices, in accordance with at least fiveillustrated implementations.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary battery device havingonboard sensors.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an onboard telematic system operableto couple to a vehicle port.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are flowchart diagrams of respective methods ofoperating telematic monitoring devices and battery devices, inaccordance with at least two illustrated implementations.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are schematic diagrams of respective telematicmonitoring systems in accordance with at least two exemplary illustratedimplementations.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart diagram of a method of receiving emergency inputand sending an emergency message, in accordance with an exemplaryimplementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Telematics systems have been employed by fleet owners to monitor use andperformance of vehicles in the fleet. A telematics system monitors avehicle using an onboard telematic monitoring device for gathering andtransmitting vehicle operation information. For instance, fleet managerscan employ telematics to have remote access to real time operationinformation of each vehicle in a fleet. A vehicle may include a car,truck, recreational vehicle, heavy equipment, tractor, snowmobile orother transportation asset. A telematic monitoring device may detectenvironmental operating conditions associated with a vehicle, forexample, outside temperature, attachment status of an attached trailer,and temperature inside an attached refrigeration trailer. A telematicmonitoring device may also detect operating conditions of an associatedvehicle, such as position, (e.g., geographic coordinates), speed, andacceleration, time of day of operation, distance traveled, stopduration, customer location, idling duration, driving duration, amongothers. Hence, the telematic monitoring device collects and transmitsdata to the telematics system that is representative of the vehicleoperation and usage execution during times the vehicle is in use. Thisdata may be collected over a time period of sufficient duration to allowfor pattern recognition of the vehicle's operation. In an example theduration may be determined to be a number of days between 30 days and 90days, though in practice any appropriate number of days could beimplemented as the duration.

In an exemplary telematics system, raw vehicle data, including vehicleoperation information indicative of a vehicle's operating conditions, istransmitted from an onboard telematic monitoring device to a remotesubsystem, (e.g., data management system which may comprise a cloudsystem or a management system). Raw vehicle data may include informationindicating the identity of the onboard telematic monitoring device(e.g., device identifier, device ID) and/or the identity of theassociated vehicle the onboard telematic monitoring device is aboard.Specific and non-limiting examples of raw vehicle data includes deviceID data, position data, speed data, ignition state data, (e.g. indicateswhether vehicle ignition is ON or OFF), and datetime data indicative ofa date and time vehicle operating conditions were logged by thetelematic monitoring device. Raw vehicle data transmitted and collectedover a period of time forms historical vehicle data which may be storedby the remote subsystem for future analysis of a single vehicle or fleetperformance. In practice, a single fleet may comprise many vehicles, andthus large volumes of raw vehicle data (e.g., terabytes, petabytes,exabytes . . . ) may be transmitted to, and stored by, a remotesubsystem.

In other exemplary telematics systems, a telematic monitoring device canhave at least one processing unit thereon which processes or filters rawvehicle data, and transmits processed or filtered data. Such systems canreduce the bandwidth required for transmission and required storagecapacity for transmitted data.

While the use of telematics systems has resulted in improved performanceand maintenance of vehicles in the fleet, onboard telematic monitoringdevices are dependent on power from vehicles. This can result insituational loss of power to the telematic monitoring device, which inturn causes interruptions or inaccuracies in telematic data. Forexample, power to the telematic monitoring device is lost when thetelematic monitoring device is unplugged from the vehicle, which resultsin interruption of collection, processing, and communication oftelematics data. As another example, collection, processing, andcommunication of telematics data can be hindered or interrupted when aconnection between a telematic monitoring device and a vehicle isunstable or poor. Connection issues can arise for example due to abad/lose installation or the telematic monitoring device becomingdislodged due to impact or a vehicle collision, as non-limitingexamples. Lack of power to the telematic monitoring device (and lack ofcommunication therewith) can also occur for other reasons. As oneexample, a vehicle battery could die. As another example, a vehiclethief could disconnect a vehicle battery prior to stealing the vehicleby towing or hauling the vehicle, such that the telematic monitoringdevice cannot be easily used to track the vehicle.

The present disclosure describes battery backup devices, systems whichinclude such battery devices, and methods of operation of such batterydevices and systems, such that power is provided to a telematicmonitoring device even in the event of lack of power from a vehicle. Byproviding backup power to the telematic monitoring device, telematicmonitoring can continue even in the event of lack of power from thevehicle.

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplarytelematics system for gathering and storing vehicle operationinformation. Telematics system 100 comprises telematics subsystem 102having a first network interface 108 and onboard telematic monitoringdevices 104 of vehicles 114 communicatively coupled therewith viacommunication network 110.

The telematics subsystem 102 in an implementation comprises a managementsystem which is a managed cloud data warehouse for performing analyticson data stored therein. In another implementation, the management systemmay comprise a plurality of management systems, datastores, and otherdevices, configured in a centralized, distributed or other arrangement.In some implementations, one or more different management systems may beemployed and configured separately or in a centralized, distributed orother arrangement.

Communication network 110 may include one or more computing systems andmay be any suitable combination of networks or portions thereof tofacilitate communication between network components. Some examples ofnetworks include, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs),Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWANs), data networks, cellular networks,voice networks, among other networks, which may be wired and/orwireless. Communication network 110 may operate according to one or morecommunication protocols, such as, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS),Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), GSM, Enhanced DataRates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), LTE, CDMA, LPWAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®,Ethernet, HTTP/S, TCP, and CoAP/DTLS, or other suitable protocol.Communication network 110 may take other forms as well.

Telematics system 100 may comprise another network interface 109 forcommunicatively coupling to another communication network 112. In animplementation, communication network 112 may comprise a communicationgateway between the fleet owners and the telematics system 100.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are vehicles 114, each thereof having aboard theonboard telematic monitoring devices 104. A vehicle may include a car,truck, recreational vehicle, heavy equipment, tractor, snowmobile, orother transportation asset. Onboard telematic monitoring devices 104 maytransmit raw vehicle data associated with vehicles 114 through thecommunication network 110 to the telematics subsystem 102.

Three telematic monitoring devices 104 are described in this example forexplanation purposes only and embodiments are not intended to be limitedto the examples described herein. In practice, a telematics system maycomprise many vehicles 114, such as hundreds, thousands and tens ofthousands or more. Thus, huge volumes of raw vehicle data may bereceived and stored by remote telematics subsystem 102.

In general, telematic monitoring devices 104 comprise sensing modulesconfigured for sensing and/or measuring a physical property that mayindicate an operating condition of a vehicle. For example, sensingmodules may sense and/or measure a vehicle's position, (e.g., GPScoordinates), speed, direction, rates of acceleration or deceleration,for instance, along the x-axis, y-axis, and/or z-axis, altitude,orientation, movement in the x, y, and/or z direction, ignition state,transmission and engine performance, and times of operation amongothers. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that these arebut a few types of vehicle operating conditions that may be detected.

Telematic monitoring device 104 may comprise a sensing module fordetermining vehicle position. For instance, the sensing module mayutilize Global Positioning System (GPS) technology (e.g., GPS receiver)for determining the geographic position (Lat/Long coordinates) ofvehicle 114. Alternatively, the sensing module can utilize anotherglobal navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology, such as, GLONASSor BeiDou. Alternatively, the sensing module may further utilize anotherkind of technology for determining geographic position. In addition, thesensing module may provide other vehicle operating information, such asspeed. Alternatively, the telematic monitoring device 104 maycommunicate with a plurality of sensing modules for a vehicle.

Alternatively, vehicle position information may be provided according toanother geographic coordinate system, such as, Universal TransverseMercator, Military Grid Reference System, or United States NationalGrid.

In general, a vehicle 114 may include various control, monitoring and/orsensor modules for detecting vehicle operating conditions. Some specificand non-limiting examples include, an engine control unit (ECU), asuspension and stability control module, a headlamp control module, awindscreen wiper control module, an anti-lock braking system module, atransmission control module, and a braking module. A vehicle may haveany combination of control, monitoring and/or sensor modules. A vehiclemay include a data/communication bus accessible for monitoring vehicleoperating information, provided by one or more vehicle control,monitoring and/or sensor modules. A vehicle data/communication bus mayoperate according to an established data bus protocol, such as theController Area Network bus (CAN-bus) protocol that is widely used inthe automotive industry for implementing a distributed communicationsnetwork. Specific and non-limiting examples of vehicle operationinformation provided by vehicle monitoring and/or sensor modulesinclude, ignition state, fuel tank level, intake air temp, and engineRPM among others.

Telematic monitoring device 104 may comprise a monitoring moduleoperable to communicate with a data/communication bus of vehicle 114.The monitoring module may communicate via a direct connection, such as,electrically coupling, with a data/communication bus of vehicle 114 viaa vehicle communication port, (e.g., diagnostic port/communication bus,OBDII port). Alternatively, the monitoring module may comprise awireless communication interface for communicating with a wirelessinterface of the data/communication bus of vehicle 114. Optionally, amonitoring module may communicate with other external devices/systemsthat detect operating conditions of the vehicle.

Telematic monitoring device 104 may be operable to wirelesslycommunicate with telematics subsystem 102 via a wireless communicationmodule. In some embodiments, telematic monitoring device 104 maydirectly communicate with one or more networks outside vehicle 114 totransmit data to telematics subsystem 102. A person of ordinary skillwill recognize that functionality of some modules may be implemented inone or more devices and/or that functionality of some modules may beintegrated into the same device.

Telematic monitoring devices 104 may transmit raw vehicle data,indicative of vehicle operation information collected thereby, totelematics subsystem 102. The raw vehicle data may be transmitted atpredetermined time intervals, (e.g. heartbeat), intermittently, and/oraccording to other predefined conditions. Raw vehicle data transmittedfrom telematic monitoring devices 104 may include information indicativeof device ID, position, speed, ignition state, and date and timeoperating conditions are logged, for instance, in an onboard datastore.One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that raw vehicle datamay comprise data indicative of numerous other vehicle operatingconditions. Raw vehicle data may be transmitted from a monitoring devicewhen a vehicle is moving, stationary, and during both ON and OFFignition states.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an onboard telematic monitoring system200. Telematic monitoring system 200 includes a telematic monitoringdevice 210 and a battery device 220, coupled by electrical pathways.“Electrical pathways” (sometimes shortened to “pathways”) as usedthroughout this disclosure refers to electrically conductive componentswhich provide electrical coupling, such as wires, conductive traces,contacts, vias, or any other appropriate electrically conductivecomponent. An electrical pathway can be a single electrically conductivecomponent (e.g. a single wire), but this is not necessarily the case.For example, an electrical pathway could include a plurality of wires,conductive traces, contacts, or vias. Likewise, in some of theillustrated implementations, separate electrical pathways areillustrated, but in some cases certain electrical pathways could becombined as a single pathway or group of pathways.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2 , telematic monitoring device 210receives power and vehicle data from a vehicle by electrical pathway201. Electrical pathway 201 could include for example a diagnostic portsuch as an OBDII port, a peripheral port such as a 12V or 24V power port(e.g. cigarette lighter port), or multiple ports in combination. Batterydevice 220 can receive power from the vehicle via telematic monitoringdevice 210, over electrical pathway 202. Battery 220 can provide powerto the telematic monitoring device over electrical pathway 203. In thisway, depending on that state of the vehicle and the connection with thetelematic monitoring device 210, the battery device 220 can charge withpower from the vehicle, or the battery device 220 can power telematicmonitoring device 210 when power from the vehicle is disconnected,inconsistent, or insufficient (modes of operation of battery device 220are discussed later with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 ).Although electrical pathways 202 and 203 are illustrated separately, insome implementations power can be provided from telematic monitoringdevice 210 to battery device 220, and from battery device 220 totelematic monitoring device 210 by the same electrical pathway.Additionally, electrical pathway 202 or 203 could also be used tocommunicate data (such as control data, or data to or from peripheraldevices as discussed later with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 )between battery device 220 and telematic monitoring device 210.

While a broader “telematics system” can include communication betweensubsystem components as described above with reference to FIG. 1 , theterminology “onboard telematic monitoring system” is intended to referto a collection of components of a telematic system which are providedin or on a vehicle (i.e. onboard the vehicle).

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an onboard telematic monitoring system300. Telematic monitoring system 300 is similar to telematic monitoringsystem 200, and description of telematic monitoring system 200 appliesto telematic monitoring system 300 unless context dictates otherwise.Telematic monitoring system 300 includes telematic monitoring device 210and battery device 220, coupled by electrical pathways 202 and 203similar to telematic monitoring system 200. Telematic monitoring system300 also includes a peripheral device 330 electrically coupled tobattery device 220 by electrical pathway 304. Battery device 220 canprovide power to peripheral device 330 over electrical pathway 304. Thispower could be from at least one battery in battery device 220, or couldbe power which passes through battery device 220 from telematicmonitoring device 210. Battery device 220 can be configured with controlcircuitry to enable or disable provision of power to peripheral device330, as appropriate to conserve power. This is discussed in detail laterwith reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 .

Peripheral devices are discussed throughout this disclosure, and caninclude a wide variety of devices. Non-limiting examples of peripheraldevices can include for example cameras, microphones, logging devices(such as work-hour logging devices), key storage devices, or vehicleunlocking devices. However, any peripheral device could be used asappropriate for a given application.

Although electrical pathway 304 is illustrated as a single twodirectional pathway, electrical pathway 304 could be implemented as aplurality of pathways, and each pathway can be one-directional ortwo-directional. Further, in addition to power, electrical pathway 304(or select electrical pathways therein) can be used to communicate data,control information, signals, or any other appropriate information,between peripheral device 330 and battery device 220. For example,sensor data from sensors of peripheral device 330 could be communicatedto battery device 220 over electrical pathway 304, and this sensor datain turn could be communicated to telematics monitoring device 210, forprocessing and/or communication over a network. As another example,battery device 220 could send instructions over electrical pathway 304for peripheral device 330 to control a mode of peripheral device 330(e.g. cause peripheral device 330 to enter a low power mode or turn offwhen battery device 220 is not receiving power from a vehicle, or causeperipheral device 330 to enter a full-power mode when battery device 220is receiving power from a vehicle).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an onboard telematic monitoring system400. Telematic monitoring system 400 is similar to telematic monitoringsystems 200 and 300, and description of telematic monitoring systems 200and 300 applies to telematic monitoring system 400 unless contextdictates otherwise. Telematic monitoring system 400 includes telematicmonitoring device 210 and battery device 220, coupled by electricalpathways 202 and 203 similar to telematic monitoring system 200.Telematic monitoring system 400 also includes a plurality of peripheraldevices collectively numbered as 430. The illustrated plurality ofperipheral devices includes peripheral device 430_1, up to peripheraldevice 430_n, where n is the number of peripheral devices. Anyappropriate number of peripheral devices could be implemented such astwo, three, four, five, or even more peripheral devices. In theillustrated implementation, peripheral device 430_1 is electricallycoupled to battery device 220 by electrical pathway 304, similarly toperipheral device 330 in FIG. 3 . The remaining peripheral devices aredaisy-chained (connected in sequence) to peripheral device 430_1.

Electrical pathways coupling a sequence of peripheral devices arecollectively numbered as 432. In the illustrated example, peripheraldevice 430_1 is electrically coupled to a subsequent peripheral deviceby electrical pathway 432_1, and peripheral device 430_n is electricallycoupled to a preceding peripheral device by electrical pathway 432_n-1.An appropriate number of electrical pathways can be included as neededto couple a sequence of any appropriate number of peripheral devices. Inthe case where there are exactly two peripheral devices (n=2), thenelectrical pathways 432_1 and 432_n-1 are the same electrical pathway.Similarly to as discussed above regarding electrical pathway 304,although electrical pathways 432 are each illustrated (specificallyillustrated electrical pathways 432_1 and 432_n) as a single twodirectional pathway, each electrical pathway could be implemented as aplurality of pathways, and each pathway can be one-directional ortwo-directional. Further, in addition to power, electrical pathways 432(or select electrical pathways therein) can be used to communicate data,control information, signals, or any other appropriate information,between peripheral devices 430 and battery device 220. For example,sensor data from sensors of any of the plurality of peripheral devices430 could be communicated to battery device 220 over electrical pathways304 and 432, and this sensor data in turn could be communicated totelematic monitoring device 210, for processing and/or communicationover a network. As another example, battery device 220 could sendinstructions over electrical pathways 304 and 432 to peripheral devices430 to control modes of peripheral devices 430 (such as low-power, off,or full power modes similar to as mentioned above).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an onboard telematic monitoring system500. Telematic monitoring system 500 is similar to telematic monitoringsystem 400, and description of telematic monitoring system 400 appliesto telematic monitoring system 500 unless context dictates otherwise.Telematic monitoring system 500 in FIG. 5 is an exemplary implementationof telematic monitoring system 400, where four peripheral devices areincluded and electrically coupled to battery device 220 (n=4).Peripheral device 430_1 is electrically coupled to battery device 220 byelectrical pathway 304. Peripheral device 430_2 is electrically coupledto peripheral device 430_1 by electrical pathway 432_1. Peripheraldevice 430_3 is electrically coupled to peripheral device 430_2 byelectrical pathway 432_2. Peripheral device 430_4 is electricallycoupled to peripheral device 430_3 by electrical pathway 432_3. Powerand data can be transmitted to each of the peripheral devices throughthe chain of peripheral devices. For example, peripheral device 430_4receives power from battery device 220 through peripheral devices 430_1,430_2, and 430_3, and through electrical pathways 432_1, 432_2, and432_3 (whether the power originates from a battery on battery device220, or from a vehicle where battery device 220 receives power from).Data, control information, signals, or other appropriate information canbe provided to the peripheral devices by battery device 220, or receivedfrom the peripheral devices by battery device 220, in a similar manner.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an onboard telematic monitoring system600. Telematic monitoring system 600 is similar to telematic monitoringsystem 400, and description of telematic monitoring system 400 appliesto telematic monitoring system 600 unless context dictates otherwise.One difference between telematic monitoring system 600 and telematicmonitoring system 400 is that telematic monitoring system 600 includes aset of electrical pathways 604 by which battery device 220 is directlyelectrically coupled to each peripheral device in a plurality ofperipheral devices 430. In this way, power can be provided directly toeach peripheral device from battery device 220. Data, controlinformation, or signals can also be communicated between the peripheraldevices 430 and battery device 220 directly, instead of transmissionthrough a chain of devices.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an onboard telematic monitoring system700. Telematic monitoring system 700 is similar to telematic monitoringsystem 400, and description of telematic monitoring system 400 appliesto telematic monitoring system 700 unless context dictates otherwise.One difference between telematic monitoring system 700 and telematicmonitoring system 400 is that in telematic monitoring system 700, poweris provided to battery device 220 by electrical pathway 705. Forexample, electrical pathway 705 can connect to a vehicle power source,such that power is supplied directly to battery device 220 from thevehicle, instead of power being supplied to battery device 220 fromtelematic monitoring device 210. Provision of power directly from thevehicle to battery device 220 could also be used in the implementationsillustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 , as appropriate for a givenapplication.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a battery device 800. Battery device800 could be used as battery device 220 in any of the implementationsdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 . Battery device800 includes control circuitry 810, power circuitry 820, and at leastone battery 830. FIG. 8 shows electrical pathways 812, 814, 816, 818,822, 824, 832, and 834 between components. In the context of FIG. 8 (andFIGS. 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 discussed later), electricalpathways illustrated as solid lines (in FIG. 8 pathways 822, 824, 832,and 834) indicate pathways by which power travels, whereas electricalpathways illustrated by dashed lines (in FIG. 8 pathways 812, 814, 816,and 818) indicate pathways by which data, information, or signals aresent.

Control circuitry 810 controls operation of battery device 800 and thecomponents therein. In the example, control circuitry 810 receives datafrom a telematic monitoring device (such as telematic monitoring device210 in FIGS. 2-7 ), sensors in the battery device, and/or peripheraldevices electrically coupled to battery device 800 over electricalpathways 812 or 818, and can select a mode of operation for batterydevice 800 based on the received data. Control circuitry 810 can alsoprovide data, information, or signals to the telematic monitoring deviceover electrical pathway 812. Additionally, control circuitry 810 canprovide (or receive) data, information, or signals to (or from) anyperipheral devices electrically coupled to battery device 800 (such asperipheral devices 330 and 430_1 to 430_n discussed with reference toFIGS. 3-7 ) over electrical pathway 818. Control circuitry 810 (or anyother control circuitry discussed herein) could include any appropriatehardware which can process signals, such as any of a processor,integrated circuit, microcontroller unit (MCU), field-programmable gatearray (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), logic circuitry,etcetera.

Power circuitry 820 provisions power to and within battery device 800,such as to at least one battery 830 for charging. Though not illustratedto avoid clutter, power circuitry 820 can also provision power tocontrol circuitry 810 for operation thereof. In the illustrated example,power circuitry 820 receives power by electrical pathway 822, and canprovide power to battery 830 by electrical pathway 824 to charge the atleast one battery 830. Whether provision of power to the at least onebattery 830 is enabled can be controlled by control circuitry 810, suchas by at least one control signal sent by electrical pathway 814.Exemplary modes of operation of the battery devices described herein arediscussed later with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 . Powercircuitry 820 could include any appropriate hardware which can provisionpower, such as any of an integrated circuit, field-programmable gatearray (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), logic circuitry, printedcircuit board (PCB), etcetera.

The at least one battery 830 is an energy storage device. The at leastone battery can include any appropriate number of battery cells, such asone cell, two cell, three cells, four cells, or even more cells ifappropriate for a particular application. In the implementationillustrated in FIG. 8 , battery 830 can output power directly viaelectrical pathway 832 to a telematic monitoring device (such astelematics monitoring device 210 in FIGS. 2-7 ), and can output powerdirectly to a peripheral device by electrical pathway 834. Whetherprovision of power by battery 830 is enabled or disabled over eachrespective electrical pathway 832 and 834 can be controlled by controlcircuitry 810, such as by at least one control signal sent by electricalpathway 816. Alternatively, operation of the at least one battery 830could be controlled indirectly, by at least one control signal sent topower circuitry 820 via electrical pathway 814, with power circuitry 820controlling provision of power to the at least one battery 830.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a battery device 900. Battery device900 is similar to battery device 800 discussed with reference to FIG. 8, and discussion of battery device 800 is applicable to battery device900 unless context dictates otherwise. Battery device 900 could be usedas battery device 220 in any of the implementations discussed withreference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 . Battery device 900 includescontrol circuitry 810, power circuitry 820, and at least one battery 830similar to battery device 800 in FIG. 8 .

One difference between battery device 900 and battery device 800 is howthe components of battery device 900 are interconnected and interactwith each other. Similarly to FIG. 8 , FIG. 9 shows electrical pathways912, 914, 918, 922, 924, 926, 928, and 932 between components; in FIG. 9, pathways illustrated as solid lines (pathways 922, 924, 926, 928, and932) indicate pathways by which power travels, whereas pathwaysillustrated by dashed lines (pathways 912, 914, and 918) indicatepathways by which data, information, or signals are sent.

In FIG. 9 , control circuitry 810 controls operation of battery device900 and the components therein. In the example, control circuitry 810receives data from a telematic monitoring device (such as telematicmonitoring device 210 in FIGS. 2-7 ), sensors in the battery device 900,and/or peripheral devices electrically coupled to battery device 900over electrical pathways 912 or 918, and can select an operational modeof battery device 900 based on the received data. Control circuitry 810can also provide data, information, or signals to the telematicmonitoring device over electrical pathway 912. Additionally, controlcircuitry 810 can provide data, information, or signals to anyperipheral devices electrically coupled to battery device 900 (such asperipheral devices 330 and 430_1 to 430_n discussed with reference toFIGS. 3-7 ) over electrical pathway 918. Control circuitry 810 couldinclude any appropriate hardware which can process signals, such as anyof a processor, microcontroller unit (MCU), integrated circuit,field-programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD),logic circuitry, etcetera.

In FIG. 9 , power circuitry 820 provisions power to and from batterydevice 900, and provisions power to the at least one battery 830 forcharging. In the illustrated example, power circuitry 820 receives powerby electrical pathway 922, and provides power to battery 830 byelectrical pathway 924 to charge the at least one battery 830. Whethercharging of battery 830 is enabled can be controlled by controlcircuitry 810, such as by at least one control signal sent by electricalpathway 914. Exemplary modes of operation of the battery devicesdescribed herein are discussed later with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 15,and 16 . Power circuitry 820 could include any appropriate hardwarewhich can provision power, such as any of an integrated circuit,field-programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD),logic circuitry, printed circuit board, etcetera.

Similar to as in FIG. 8 , the at least one battery 830 is an energystorage device. The at least one battery 830 can include any appropriatenumber of battery cells, such as one cell, two cell, three cells, fourcells, or even more cells if appropriate for a particular application.In the implementation illustrated in FIG. 9 , battery 830 can outputpower to power circuitry 820 by electrical pathway 932. In turn, powercircuitry 820 can output power to a telematic monitoring device (such astelematic monitoring device 210 in FIGS. 2-7 ) by electrical pathway926, and can output power to a peripheral device by electrical pathway928. Whether provision of power from the at least one battery 830 bypower circuitry 820 is enabled or disabled over each respectiveelectrical pathway 926 and 928 can be controlled by control circuitry810, such as by at least one control signal sent by electrical pathway914.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a battery device 1000. Battery device1000 is similar to battery device 800 discussed with reference to FIG. 8and battery device 900 discussed with reference to FIG. 9 , anddiscussion of battery devices 800 and 900 is applicable to batterydevice 1000 unless context dictates otherwise. Battery device 1000 couldbe used as battery device 220 in any of the implementations discussedwith reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 . Battery device 1000includes control circuitry 810, power circuitry 820, and at least onebattery 830 similarly to battery devices 800 and 900 in FIGS. 8 and 9 .

One difference between battery device 1000 and battery devices 800 and900 is how the components of battery device 1000 are interconnected andinteract with each other. Similarly to FIGS. 8 and 9 , FIG. 10 showselectrical pathways 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1017, 1018, 1024,1026, and 1032 between components; in FIG. 10 , pathways illustrated assolid lines (pathways 1011, 1013, 1015, 1017, 1024, 1026, and 1032)indicate pathways by which power travels, whereas pathways illustratedby dashed lines (pathways 1012, 1014, and 1018) indicate pathways bywhich data, information, or signals are sent.

In FIG. 10 , control circuitry 810 controls operation of battery device1000 and the components therein. In the example, control circuitry 810receives data from a telematic monitoring device (such as telematicmonitoring device 210 in FIGS. 2-7 ), sensors in the battery device1000, and/or peripheral devices electrically coupled to battery device1000 over electrical pathways 1012 or 1018, and can select anoperational mode for the battery device 1000 based on the received data.Control circuitry 810 can also provide data, information, or signals tothe telematic monitoring device over electrical pathway 1012.Additionally, control circuitry 810 can provide data, information, orsignals to any peripheral devices electrically coupled to battery device1000 (such as peripheral devices 330 and 430_1 to 430_n discussed withreference to FIGS. 3-7 ) over electrical pathway 1018. In the example ofFIG. 10 , control circuitry 810 also receives and provisions power toand from battery device 1000. Control circuitry 810 receives power overelectrical pathway 1011 (such as from a vehicle, directly or through thetelematic monitoring device). Control circuitry 810 provides power topower circuitry 820 over electrical pathway 1013, and provides power toany peripheral devices over electrical pathway 1017. Control circuitry810 could include any appropriate hardware which can process signals,such as any of a processor, microcontroller unit (MCU), integratedcircuit, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device(PLD), logic circuitry, etcetera.

Power circuitry 820 in battery device 1000 provisions power to the atleast one battery 830 for charging. In the example illustrated in FIG.10 , power circuitry 820 receives power from control circuitry 810 byelectrical pathway 1013, and provides power to battery 830 by electricalpathway 1024 to charge battery 930. Whether charging of battery 830 isenabled can be controlled by control circuitry 810, such as by at leastone control signal sent to power circuitry 820 by electrical pathway1014. Exemplary modes of operation of the battery devices describedherein are discussed later with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 .Power circuitry 820 could include any appropriate hardware which canprovision power, such as any of an integrated circuit,field-programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD),logic circuitry, printed circuit board (PCB), etcetera.

Similar to in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the at least one battery 830 is an energystorage device. The at least one battery can include any appropriatenumber of battery cells, such as one cell, two cells, three cells, fourcells, or even more cells if appropriate for a particular application.In the implementation illustrated in FIG. 10 , battery 830 can outputpower to power circuitry 820 by electrical pathway 1032. In turn, powercircuitry 820 can output power to control circuitry 810 by electricalpathway 1026. In turn, control circuitry 810 can output power to atelematics monitoring device (such as telematics monitoring device 210in FIGS. 2-7 ) by electrical pathway 1015, and can output power toperipheral devices by electrical pathway 1017. Whether provision ofpower from battery 830 by power circuitry 820 and control circuit 810 isenabled or disabled over each respective electrical pathway 1015 and1017 can be controlled by control circuitry 810.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram which illustrates an exemplary method1100 of operating any of the battery devices described herein. Method1100 as illustrated includes acts 1110 and 1130, as well as sub acts1111, 1112, 1113, 1114, and 1115. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat additional acts could be added, acts could be removed, or actscould be reordered as appropriate for a given application. For example,although method 1100 illustrates a decision tree, the order of decisionscould be altered, all of the decisions could be made sequentially, or asingle selection of mode of operation could be made based on acombination of decision factors instead of a sequence of decisions. Thediscussion of FIG. 11 is applicable to telematic monitoring device 210and battery device 220 as discussed with reference to any of FIGS. 2, 3,4, 5, 6, and 7 , as well as battery device 800, 900, and 1000, andcontrol circuitry 810, power circuitry 820, and the at least one battery830 as discussed with reference to any of FIG. 8, 9 , or 10. Thedescription is also applicable to any battery device having a similarstructure. Any such battery devices could include at least onenon-transitory processor-readable storage medium having instructionsstored thereon, wherein the instructions when executed by the controlcircuitry cause the battery device to perform the method 1100.

In act 1110, the control circuitry 810 selects a mode of operation forthe battery device from a plurality of modes in which the battery deviceis operable. Selection of a mode of operation of the battery device isbased on whether the telematic monitoring device is electrically coupledto the vehicle (as shown by 1111) and whether the vehicle is on (asshown in 1112). If the telematic monitoring device is electricallycoupled to the vehicle, and the vehicle is on, the control circuitry 810selects a first mode of the plurality of modes as the select mode. Ifthe telematic monitoring device is electrically coupled to the vehicle,and the vehicle is off, the control circuitry 810 selects a second modefrom the plurality of modes as the select mode. If the telematicmonitoring device is not electrically coupled to the vehicle, thecontrol circuitry 810 selects a third mode of the plurality of modes asthe select mode.

In act 1130, the control circuitry 810 operates the battery device inthe select mode as selected in act 1110. FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16discussed later describe different modes of the battery devices herein,and how operation in each mode differs.

Determining whether the telematic monitoring device is electricallycoupled to the vehicle can be performed in any appropriate manner. Inone implementation, the control circuitry 810 can check to see if poweris available from the vehicle through the telematic monitoring device.If power is available, the telematic monitoring device is electricallycoupled to the vehicle; if power is not available, the telematicmonitoring device is not electrically coupled to the vehicle. In anotherimplementation, the telematic monitoring device can be operable todetect a sudden drop in power supplied thereto from the vehicle. Inresponse to a sudden drop in power, the telematic monitoring device cansend a signal to the battery device indicating that the telematicmonitoring device is disconnected from the vehicle. In anotherimplementation, the telematic monitoring device can check whether anyvehicle data is available or being transmitted over a connection to thevehicle (such as the OBDII port). If no data is available, the telematicmonitoring device can send a signal to the battery device indicatingthat the telematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to thevehicle.

Determining whether the telematic monitoring device is electricallycoupled to the vehicle is not limited to determining whether thetelematic monitoring device is completely coupled to the vehicle orcompletely disconnected from the vehicle. Rather, determining whetherthe telematic monitoring device is electrically coupled to the vehiclecan also include determining whether the telematic monitoring device hasa stable or reliable connection to the vehicle. For example, thetelematic monitoring device may have become slightly loose, such thatelectrical coupling between the telematic monitoring device and thevehicle is inconsistent or unstable, even if the telematic monitoringdevice appears physically coupled to the vehicle.

Determining whether the vehicle is on can be performed in anyappropriate manner. In one implementation, the telematic monitoringdevice can receive an “ignition” signal from the vehicle, whichindicates whether the vehicle is on. In some cases, such an ignitionsignal can be indicative of a state of the vehicle ignition (e.g. wherethe vehicle key is turned to in the ignition); in other cases, the“ignition signal” can be construed more broadly to refer to anoperational state of the vehicle (e.g.: off, electrical components onand engine off, and engine on). In some examples, this signal can beprovided to the battery device for analysis. In other examples, thesignal can be analyzed by a processing unit of the telematic monitoringdevice to determine an operational state of the vehicle, and thetelematic monitoring device in turn sends a signal to the battery deviceindicative of whether the vehicle is on.

In other implementations, the telematic monitoring device or the batterydevice can measure voltage (e.g. collect voltage measurement data) ofpower from the vehicle. Measurement of voltage or collection of voltagemeasurement data could be performed by any appropriate means, such as avoltage measurement circuit or a voltmeter, as non-limiting examples.Voltage measurement means could be built into the telematic monitoringdevice or the battery device, or could be an external unit whichprovides voltage measurement data to the telematic monitoring device orthe battery device. The measured voltage can be indicative of thevehicle being on. For example, when a vehicle is not on, a vehiclebattery can have a voltage of approximately 12V. When the vehicle is onand the vehicle battery is being charged by an alternator, the vehiclebattery voltage can be higher, such as approximately 14V. If themeasured voltage is higher than an expected rest voltage (e.g. if themeasured voltage is 14V instead of 12V), the telematic monitoring deviceor the battery device can determine that the vehicle is on. The measuredvoltage can also be indicative of an ignition event of a vehicle (e.g.the engine being cranked in a combustion engine). This is becausevehicle battery voltage fluctuates during such an ignition event. If themeasured voltages indicate such fluctuation, the telematic monitoringdevice or the battery device can determine that the vehicle was turnedon.

In yet other implementations, the telematic monitoring device or thebattery device can have at least one sensor on board, and processingcircuitry of the telematic monitoring device or the control circuitry ofthe battery device can analyze data from the at least one sensor todetermine whether the vehicle is on. This is discussed in more detaillater with reference to FIG. 17 .

In yet other implementations, determining whether a vehicle is on can beperformed by detecting that the vehicle is in motion (for example asdiscussed later with reference to FIGS. 12, 17 , and 18), and inferringthat the vehicle is on when the vehicle is in motion. For example,location data from a location sensor of the telematic monitoring device,battery device, or a peripheral device indicates motion thereofcorresponding to motion of a vehicle. A processing unit of saidtelematic monitoring device, battery device, or peripheral device canreceive said location data, detect that the vehicle is moving, andsubsequently infer that the vehicle is on.

Analysis of data by the telematic monitoring device, the battery device,or any peripheral devices can be performed by a respective processingunit of the component doing the processing (for example the controlcircuitry of a battery device, or a separate processing unit in thebattery device, or a processing unit in the telematic monitoring deviceor peripheral device).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart diagram which illustrates an exemplary method1200 of operating any of the battery devices described herein. Method1200 in FIG. 12 is similar to method 1100 in FIG. 11 , and descriptionof method 1100 is applicable to method 1200 unless context dictatesotherwise. Method 1200 as illustrated includes acts 1210 and 1230, aswell as sub-acts 1211, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, and1219. One skilled in the art will appreciate that additional acts couldbe added, acts could be removed, or acts could be reordered asappropriate for a given application. For example, although method 1200illustrates a decision tree, the order of decisions could be altered,the decisions could be made simultaneously, or a single selection ofmode of operation could be made based on a combination of decisionfactors instead of a sequence of decisions. The discussion of FIG. 12 isapplicable to telematic monitoring device 210 and battery device 220 asdiscussed with reference to any of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 , as wellas battery device 800, 900, and 1000, and control circuitry 810, powercircuitry 820, and the at least one battery 830 as discussed withreference to any of FIG. 8, 9 , or 10. The description is alsoapplicable to any battery device having a similar structure. Any suchbattery devices could include at least one non-transitoryprocessor-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon,wherein the instructions when executed by the control circuitry causethe battery device to perform the method 1200.

In act 1210, the control circuitry 810 selects a select mode ofoperation for the battery device from a plurality of modes in which thebattery device is operable. This is similar to act 1110 in FIG. 11 , butact 1210 illustrates more sub-acts and modes. Selection of a mode ofoperation of the battery device is based on whether the battery deviceis electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device (as shown by1211), whether telematic monitoring device is electrically coupled tothe vehicle (as shown by 1212) and whether the vehicle is on or inmotion (as shown by 1213 and 1214). If the battery device iselectrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, the telematicmonitoring device is electrically coupled to vehicle, and the vehicle ison, the control circuitry 810 selects a first mode of the plurality ofmodes as the select mode, as shown in act 1215. If the battery device iselectrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, the telematicmonitoring device is electrically coupled to vehicle, and the vehicle isNOT on, the control circuitry 810 selects a second mode of the pluralityof modes as the select mode, as shown in act 1216. If the battery deviceis electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, thetelematic monitoring device is NOT electrically coupled to vehicle, andthe vehicle is on or the vehicle is in motion, the control circuitry 810selects a third mode of the plurality of modes as the select mode, asshown in act 1217. If the battery device is electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device, the telematic monitoring device is NOTelectrically coupled to vehicle, and the vehicle is NOT on or thevehicle is in NOT motion, the control circuitry 810 selects a fourthmode of the plurality of modes as the select mode, as shown in act 1218.If the battery device is NOT electrically coupled to the telematicmonitoring device, the control circuitry 810 selects a fifth mode of theplurality of modes as the select mode, as shown in act 1219.

The inclusion of the fifth mode, and thus sub-acts 1211 and 1219, areoptional in the context of FIG. 12 .

In act 1230, the control circuitry 810 operates the battery device inthe select mode as selected in act 1210. FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16discussed later describe different modes of the battery devices herein.

Determining whether the battery device is electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device can be performed in any appropriate manner.In one implementation, the control circuitry 810 can check to see ifpower is available to battery device 220 from the vehicle through thetelematic monitoring device 210 (for arrangements like those in FIGS. 2,3, 4, 5, and 6 ). If power is available, the battery device 220 iselectrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device 210; if power isnot available, battery device 220 may not be electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device 210, or the telematic monitoring device 210may not be electrically coupled to the vehicle. In anotherimplementation, the battery device 220 can be operable to detect asudden drop in power supplied thereto from the telematic monitoringdevice 210. In response to a sudden drop in power, battery device 220can determine that the battery device 220 has been disconnected from thetelematic monitoring device 210, or the telematic monitoring device 210has been disconnected from the vehicle. In implementations where lack orloss of power to battery device 220 can mean that either the telematicsmonitoring device 210 is disconnected from the vehicle or that batterydevice 220 is disconnected from telematics monitoring device 210,communication data can be exchanged between telematic monitoring device210 and battery device 220 to determine what is disconnected. In anotherimplementation, status data can be provided from the telematicmonitoring device 210 to the battery device 220 indicating the status ofconnection between the vehicle and telematic monitoring device 210. Ifno status data is received by battery device 220, control circuitry 810can determine that the battery device is not electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device.

Determining whether the battery device is electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device can be performed by any appropriate means.In one non-limiting example, periodic messages are exchanged between thebattery device and the telematic monitoring device. When the batterydevice doesn't receive an expected periodic message, the battery device(or control circuitry 810 of the battery device) can determine that thebattery device is not electrically coupled to the telematic monitoringdevice. In another non-limiting example, the battery device (e.g. bycontrol circuitry 810) can probe electrical pathways to the telematicmonitoring device, and determine that the battery device is not coupledto the telematic monitoring device if the electrical pathways are notavailable.

Determining whether the telematic monitoring device is electricallycoupled to the vehicle can be performed in any appropriate manner, as isdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 11 . Determining whether thevehicle is on or in motion can also be performed in any appropriatemanner, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 11 and below withreference to FIGS. 17 and 18 .

Similarly to as discussed above with reference to FIG. 11 , determiningwhether components are electrically coupled is not limited todetermining whether the components are completely coupled or completelydisconnected. Rather, determining whether components are electricallycoupled can also include determining whether the components have astable or reliable connection.

FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 are schematic diagrams of exemplary modes ofoperation of any of the battery devices described herein. FIGS. 13, 14,15, and 16 illustrate which of the illustrated electrical pathways areavailable for provision of power in a given mode of operation. Pathwayswhich are available are indicated by a circle “0”, whereas pathwayswhich are not available are indicated by a cross “X”. Note that apathway being unavailable does not indicate that the pathway is notpresent, but rather that the pathway is disabled or is not used in theillustrated mode. Further, as discussed above, a single pathway can berepresentative of multiple pathways, and likewise multiple illustratedpathways can be combined in a single pathway (including amulti-directional pathway). FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 generally focus onillustrating whether pathways by which power is provided (pathwaysillustrated as solid lines) are available or not in a given mode.Pathways by which control data or signals are transmitted are generallyavailable to enable control of components for changing between modes.Unless context dictates otherwise, pathways not labelled with a circleor a cross can be enabled or disabled as appropriate for a givenapplication (that is, the specific mode does not necessarily dictatewhether pathways not labelled with a circle or a cross are available ornot). FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 show modes of operation as they pertainto battery device 900 in FIG. 9 ; however, the discussion applies toother implementations of battery devices, such as battery device 800 inFIG. 8 , battery device 1000 in FIG. 10 , or any other appropriatebattery device implementation. In cases where a specific pathwaydiscussed in FIG. 13, 14, 15 , or 16 is not present in a particularbattery device implementation, the function of the pathway (i.e. towhere the pathway provides power) is still applicable to saidimplementation.

FIG. 13 illustrates a first mode of operation, which corresponds to thefirst mode of operation in FIGS. 11 and 12 . In this first mode, pathway922 is available for provision of power from a vehicle to powercircuitry 820. Pathway 924 is also available for provision of power frompower circuit 820 to the at least one battery 830. Pathway 928 is alsoavailable for provision of power to any peripheral devices electricallycoupled to the battery device. Stated differently, in the first mode,the battery device receives power from the vehicle, provision of powerfrom the battery device to at least one peripheral device is enabled,and provision of power to the at least one battery 830 for charging isenabled.

Pathway 926 is generally not used in the first mode, as pathway 926 isfor provision of power from the battery device to a telematic monitoringdevice (which is generally already powered by the vehicle when thebattery device is receiving power). Pathway 932 is also not generallyused in the first mode, as this pathway is generally used for the atleast one battery 830 to provide power to other components like thetelematic monitoring device or peripheral devices (which are alreadyreceiving power from the vehicle).

As discussed with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 above, the battery deviceoperates in the first mode when the telematic monitoring device iselectrically coupled to the vehicle, and the vehicle is on. In such acase, the vehicle is capable of charging its own battery (e.g. by analternator in the case of an internal combustion engine), or isdependent on a high capacity battery (in the case of a battery electricvehicle), and so a large or regenerating quantity of power is availableto the telematic monitoring device and the battery device. As such, highpower drain functions like charging the at least one battery 830 areenabled. Note that the first mode does not require that the at least onebattery 830 is actually being charged all the time; rather provision ofpower to the at least one battery 830 for charging is enabled, butcharging may only occur when necessary (e.g. when the at least onebattery 830 is not fully charged or the available energy in the at leastone battery 830 drops below a threshold).

FIG. 14 illustrates a second mode of operation, which corresponds to thesecond mode of operation in FIGS. 11 and 12 . In this second mode,pathway 922 is available for provision of power from a vehicle to powercircuit 820. Pathway 928 is also available for provision of power to anyperipheral devices electrically coupled to the battery device. However,pathway 924 is not available for provision of power from power circuit820 to the at least one battery 830. Stated differently, in the secondmode, the battery device receives power from the vehicle, provision ofpower from the battery device to at least one peripheral device isenabled, and provision of power to the at least one battery 830 forcharging is disabled.

As discussed with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 above, the battery deviceoperates in the second mode when the telematic monitoring device iselectrically coupled to the vehicle, and the vehicle is NOT on. In sucha case, the vehicle is NOT capable of charging its own battery (in thecase of an internal combustion engine vehicle), and reliance on ahigh-capacity battery may not be available (in the case of a batteryelectric vehicle). As such, excessive drain on a battery of the vehiclemay prevent the vehicle from starting or being able to drive in thefuture, and so drain on the vehicle battery should be limited. As such,high power drain functions like charging the at least one battery 830 byelectrical pathway 924 are disabled. However, low power functions likethe telematic monitoring device sending occasional data, or operatingperipheral devices in low power mode can be enabled, hence why pathways922 and 928 are available. To facilitate this, after determining orreceiving an indication of whether the vehicle is on, control circuitry810 can communicate with peripheral devices via pathway 918 and withpower circuitry 820 to instruct these peripheral devices or componentsto operate in a low power mode.

Pathways 932 and 926 are optionally available for use in the secondmode. In the event power in the vehicle battery is low or limited, theat least one battery 830 can provide power to the telematics monitoringdevice and/or to peripheral devices via power circuitry 820 to enableoperation thereof in the low power mode.

FIG. 15 illustrates a third mode of operation, which corresponds to thethird mode of operation in FIGS. 11 and 12 . Additionally, FIG. 15 alsoillustrates a fourth mode of operation, which corresponds to the fourthmode of operation in FIG. 12 . The third and fourth modes of operationare similar, in that similar electrical pathways are available forprovision of power. However, the third and fourth modes of operationdiffer in terms of quantity of power provided, as is discussed later.

In the third and fourth modes, power is not provided to the batterydevice by pathway 922. Pathway 924 is not available for power circuit820 to provide power to the at least one battery 830. However, pathway932 is available for the at least one battery 830 to provide power tothe power circuit 820. Pathway 926 is available for provision of powerfrom power circuit 820 to the telematic monitoring device. Pathway 928is illustrated as not available for provision of power to peripheraldevices electrically coupled to the battery device; however this isoptional. In some implementations, pathway 928 can be available forprovision of power to peripheral devices electrically coupled to thebattery device. Stated differently, in the illustrated third mode andthe fourth mode, the battery device does not receive power from thevehicle, provision of power from the battery device to the telematicmonitoring device is enabled, provision of power from the battery deviceto at least one peripheral device is disabled, and provision of power tothe at least one battery 830 for charging is disabled. As mentionedabove, optionally provision of power from the battery device to at leastone peripheral device can be enabled.

One difference between the third mode and the fourth mode is thequantity of power provided to the telematic monitoring device. In FIG.12 discussed above, the third mode is entered when the battery device iselectrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, the telematicmonitoring device is NOT electrically coupled to the vehicle, and whenthe vehicle is on or is in motion. This scenario can happen if thevehicle is in use but the telematics monitoring device is at leastpartially unplugged from the vehicle or has an unstable connection tothe vehicle. In such a scenario, it can be desirable for the telematicmonitoring device to continue performing telematic monitoring and/orcommunication with a network. To this end, the battery device providessufficient power from the at least one battery 830 to operate thetelematic monitoring device in a full power mode (that is, essentiallythe same amount of power is available to the telematic monitoring deviceas if the telematic monitoring device were receiving power from thevehicle). Because the telematic monitoring device is disconnected fromthe vehicle or the connection to vehicle is unstable, vehicle data maynot be received by the telematic monitoring device. As such thetelematic monitoring device may not process such data, and thus may notconsume power for such processing. In this sense, the “full power mode”of the telematic monitoring device as used when the battery device isoperating in the third mode may not exactly match a mode or powerconsumption of the telematic monitoring device when electrically coupledto the vehicle.

To conserve battery life for the at least one battery 830 in the thirdmode, provision of power to peripheral devices can be disabled. On theother hand, if the performance of the peripheral devices is desired fora given application, power can be provided to the peripheral devicesfrom battery 830 by pathway 928. If selective operation of a limitednumber of peripheral devices is desired (or limitation of peripheraldevices to only certain functionality), control information can be sentfrom control circuitry 810 to the appropriate peripheral devices overpathway 918, to instruct the appropriate peripheral devices to operatein a low power mode or to shut-off.

In FIG. 12 discussed above, the fourth mode is entered when the batterydevice is electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, thetelematic monitoring device is NOT electrically coupled to the vehicle,and when the vehicle is NOT on or is NOT in motion. This scenario canhappen if the vehicle is not in use and the telematics monitoring deviceis at least partially unplugged from the vehicle or has an unstableconnection to the vehicle. In such a scenario, it can be desirable forthe telematic monitoring device to continue performing low powerfunctions like telematic monitoring device sending occasional data, oroptionally operating peripheral devices in a low power mode can beenabled. To this end, in the fourth mode the battery device may providea limited amount of power to the telematic monitoring device, thislimited amount of power being sufficient for the telematic monitoringdevice to operate in a low power mode which consumes less power than thefull power mode. In an exemplary low power mode, the telematicmonitoring device can normally be in a sleep state which consumes littlepower, and periodically (e.g. every 30 minutes, though other time framesare possible) enters a wake state to check if a status of the telematicmonitoring device has changed or if new data needs to be communicatedover a network. This type of operation can be referred to as “heartbeat”operation.

In the example of FIG. 11 above, where there is no fourth mode, thethird mode can comprise the battery device providing an appropriateamount of power to the telematic monitoring device, as determined for aspecific application. For example, the battery device could providesufficient power for the telematic monitoring device to operate in thefull power mode, or could provide sufficient power for the telematicmonitoring device to operate in the low power mode discussed above.

FIG. 16 illustrates an optional fifth mode of operation, whichcorresponds to the fifth mode of operation in FIG. 12 . In this fifthmode, generally provision of power is disabled. In particular, pathways922, 924, 926, 928, and 932 are not available for provision of power.Pathways 922, 926, and 928 may not be available because the batterydevice is not electrically coupled to a telematic monitoring device orto a peripheral device. Pathways 924 and 932 may be disabled, such aswith relays, switches, or other logic, to prevent transmission of powerto and from the at least one battery 830. Pathways 922, 926, and 928 maybe technically available, but are unused (because they are fromtransmission of power to and from devices external to the batterydevice). Connecting to other devices by pathways 922, 926, and 928 maycause the battery device to select a new mode of operation. Stateddifferently, in the fifth mode, provision of power at least from the atleast one battery 830 is disabled.

The fifth mode is useful to bring power loss of the at least one battery830 to as close to zero as possible. For example, during shipping orstorage, it is desirable for the at least one battery 830 to not losepower. By restricting provision of power, the fifth state advantageouslyreduces power loss.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary battery device 1700.Battery device 1700 is similar to battery devices 800, 900, and 1000discussed with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 , and description ofbattery devices 800, 900, and 1000 applies to battery device 1700 unlesscontext dictates otherwise. One difference between battery device 1700and battery devices 800, 900, and 1000 is that battery device 1700 isshown as including two sensors 1710 and 1720. Fewer or more sensorscould be included as appropriate for a given application. Sensor datafrom sensors 1710 and 1720 can be provided to control circuitry 810 overelectrical pathways 1712 and 1722, respectively. Based on the sensordata, control circuitry 810 can choose a mode of operation of batterydevice 1700.

In one example, sensor 1710 can be a location sensor, such as a GPSsensor, and sensor 1720 can be an accelerometer or IMU (inertialmeasurement unit). Sensor data from sensor 1710 and/or sensor 1720 canbe used to determine a state of a vehicle. For example, if location datafrom sensor 1710 indicates that the location of the GPS sensor ischanging, it can be determined that the vehicle is moving. As anotherexample, the rate of change of the vehicle's position can be used todetermine the speed of the vehicle (which also indicates the vehicle ismoving). As yet another example, if sensor data from an accelerometer(sensor 1720) indicates an acceleration (for a long enough period oftime or over a threshold), it can be determined that the vehicle ismoving. As yet another example, if sensor data from an accelerometer(sensor 1720) indicates that the accelerometer is vibrating or shaking,it can be determined that the vehicle is on (since engines can cause avehicle to vibrate or shake).

Other types of sensors are possible, for example gyroscopes, imagesensors, audio sensors, or any other appropriate type of sensor could beused. For example, an image sensor could capture image data which showsa changing environment or scenery of the vehicle, which is indicative ofmovement of the vehicle. As another example, an audio sensor couldcapture audio data which includes sound made by the engine of thevehicle, which indicates the vehicle is on. As yet another example, anaudio sensor could capture audio data which includes sound made byacceleration or movement of the vehicle (such as engine throttlingnoise, road noise, or wind noise), which indicates the vehicle is inmotion. Collectively, such noise can be referred to as movement noise.

In some implementations, sensors 1710 and 1720 are not included in abattery device, but are instead included in a telematic monitoringdevice. In some examples, data from said sensor can be sent to thebattery device for processing by control circuitry 810. In otherexamples, data from the sensors is processed by a processing unit on thetelematic monitoring device, and outputs indicating the state of thevehicle are provided to the battery device. This is discussed withreference to FIG. 18 below.

In some other implementations, sensors 1710 and 1720 are not included ina battery device, but are instead included in at least one peripheraldevice electrically coupled to the battery device. In some examples,data from said sensor can be sent to the battery device for processingby control circuitry 810. In other examples, data from the sensors isprocessed by a processing unit on the respective peripheral device, andoutputs indicating the state of the vehicle are provided to the batterydevice. This is discussed with reference to FIG. 18 below.

As mentioned above, a determination of whether a vehicle is in motioncan be used to infer whether the vehicle is on. That is, if it isdetermined using any of the above discussed techniques that the vehicleis in motion, a processing unit of the telematic monitoring device,battery device, or peripheral device can infer that the vehicle is on.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an onboard telematic monitoring system1800. Telematic monitoring system includes a telematic monitoring device210 (similar to as described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and7 ) which is operable to electrically couple to a port 1802 of avehicle. Port 1802 can be for example an OBDII port, and can providevehicle data and power to telematic monitoring device 210. Telematicmonitoring system 1800 also includes a battery device 220 (similar to asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 ) electricallycoupled to telematic monitoring device 210 by electrical pathway 1812.Unless context dictates otherwise, descriptions of any of the telematicmonitoring devices discussed herein are applicable to telematicmonitoring device 210 in FIG. 18 , and descriptions of any of thebattery devices described herein are applicable to battery device 220 inFIG. 18 .

FIG. 18 illustrates a scenario where telematic monitoring device 210 isremoved from port 1802. Prior to removal, battery device 220 can operatein a first mode (corresponding to the first mode described withreference to FIG. 13 ) or a second mode (corresponding to the secondmode described with reference to FIG. 14 ) where telematic monitoringdevice 210 receives power from the vehicle and provides power to batterydevice 220. In response to the removal, the battery device switches tothe third or fourth mode (corresponding to the third or fourth modesdescribed with reference to FIG. 15 ) depending on the state of thevehicle, where the battery device 220 provides power to telematicmonitoring device 210. Because telematic monitoring device 210 isreceiving power after being disconnected from the vehicle, telematicmonitoring device 210 can communicate an alert or signal which indicatesthat the telematic monitoring device is disconnected from the vehicle.Such an alert could be audible, so that an operator of the vehicle knowsto reconnect the telematic monitoring device 210 to the vehicle.Alternatively or additionally, said alert can be communicated over anetwork (shown as 1822) to a telematics system (such as telematicssubsystem 102 in FIG. 1 ). In this way, battery device 220 enablesunderstanding and response by operators or administrators to adisconnected telematics monitoring device.

In another implementation, control circuitry of battery device 220detects when power to the battery device 220 is disconnected (e.g. iftelematic monitoring device 210 is removed from port 1802, so power isnot provided to telematic monitoring device 210). In response to losingpower, the control circuitry of battery device 220 instructs thetelematic monitoring device 210 to transmit a signal (e.g. 1822, audibleor electronic) indicative of disconnection of power when power to thebattery device is disconnected. Optionally, the control circuitry ofbattery device 220 can also detect whether battery device 220 iselectrically coupled to telematic monitoring device 210, and only sendthe instruction to the telematic monitoring device 210 if battery device220 and telematic monitoring device 210 are electrically coupled.

FIG. 18 also illustrates at least one sensor 1818 in the telematicmonitoring device 210. The at least one sensor could include any of alocation sensor, an accelerometer, an IMU, gyroscopes, image sensors,audio sensors, or any other appropriate type of sensor, similar to asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 17 . The at least one sensorcollects sensor data which can be used to determine whether the vehicleis on or in motion, similar to as discussed with reference to FIG. 17above. In some implementations, the sensor data can be processed by aprocessing unit of telematic monitoring device 210, and status data or asignal indicating whether the vehicle is on or in motion can be sent tobattery device 220 over electrical pathway 1812. In otherimplementations, the sensor data can be sent to battery device 220 overelectrical pathway 1812, to be processed by control circuitry on batterydevice 220 to determine whether the vehicle is on or is in motion.

FIG. 18 also illustrates at least one peripheral device 430 (similar toas discussed with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 ) electricallycoupled to the battery device 220 by electrical pathway 1814. Theperipheral device 430 can be or can include at least one sensor such asany of a location sensor, an accelerometer, an IMU, gyroscopes, imagesensors, audio sensors, or any other appropriate type of sensor, similarto as described above with reference to FIG. 17 . The at least onesensor collects sensor data which can be used to determine whether thevehicle is on or in motion, similar to as discussed with reference toFIG. 17 above. In some implementations, the sensor data can be processedby a processing unit of peripheral device 430, and status data or asignal indicating whether the vehicle is on or in motion can be sent tobattery device 220 over electrical pathway 1814. In otherimplementations, the sensor data can be sent to battery device 220 overelectrical pathway 1814, to be processed by control circuitry on batterydevice 220 to determine whether the vehicle is on or is in motion.

Batteries have been known to overheat on rare occasions, even when theyare seemingly not being used to a high degree. This can result in fire,damage to surrounding elements, and physical injury to persons. It isdesirable to be able to detect when such a situation is about to occuror is occurring, so that preventative or mitigative measures can betaken. For example, if an overheating condition is detected in a batterypositioned in an unattended vehicle, a service person or emergencyresponder can be notified of this overheating condition, such that theycould potentially isolate the battery to prevent fire, or put out a firewhich has occurred, before significant injury or damage occurs. However,constantly measuring and reporting battery temperature consumes power,which could result in excessive drain on the vehicle battery or abattery device in the vehicle. This can lead to failure of the vehicleto start when needed, or inability for the battery device to providebackup power when needed. Therefore, it is further desirable to achievethe above discussed temperature monitoring, but to also do so withminimal power consumption. FIGS. 19 and 20 , and the correspondingdiscussion below, are directed to this.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart diagram which illustrates another exemplarymethod 1900 of operating any of the battery devices and/or telematicmonitoring devices described herein. Method 1900 as illustrated includesacts 1910, 1920, and 1930, as well as sub-acts 1912, 1922, 1924, 1926,1928, 1932, 1934, and 1936. One skilled in the art will appreciate thatadditional acts could be added, acts could be removed, acts could bereordered, or acts could be combined as appropriate for a givenapplication. For example, although method 1900 illustrates a decisiontree, the order of decisions could be altered or the decisions could bemade simultaneously. As another example, acts 1910, 1920, and 1930generally express operation of the battery device or telematicmonitoring device in certain modes; these acts could be expressed incombination with corresponding sub-acts 1912, 1922, 1924, 1926, 1928,1932, 1934, and 1936 (e.g. 1910, 1920, or 1930 can be a state in whichcorresponding sub-acts are performed). The discussion of FIG. 19 isapplicable to telematic monitoring device 210 and battery device 220 asdiscussed with reference to any of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 , as wellas battery device 800, 900, and 1000, and control circuitry 810, powercircuitry 820, and the at least one battery 830 as discussed withreference to any of FIG. 8, 9 , or 10. The description is alsoapplicable to any battery device having a similar structure. Any suchbattery devices could include at least one non-transitoryprocessor-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon,wherein the instructions when executed by the control circuitry causethe battery device to perform appropriate acts of method 1900. Further,any appropriate telematic monitoring device could include at least onenon-transitory processor-readable storage medium having instructionsstored thereon, wherein the instructions when executed by at least oneprocessor of the telematic monitoring device cause the telematicmonitoring device to perform appropriate acts of method 1900.

At 1910, the control circuitry of the battery device is operated in alow-power mode. In this low-power mode, the control circuitry isgenerally inactive to reduce power consumption. At 1912, duringoperation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, the controlcircuitry transitions to operate in a measurement mode (discussed later)after a set period. For example, in the low-power mode the controlcircuitry can maintain a clock, and when a set period of time passes thecontrol mode transitions itself to operate in the measurement mode. Theset period can occur repeatedly, so that the control circuitrytransitions to operate in the measurement mode and transitions back tothe low-power mode (as discussed later with reference to act 1920), towait another set period until transitioning to the measurement modeagain.

At 1920, the control circuitry of the battery device operates in ameasurement mode. The measurement mode generally refers to a mode inwhich temperature data for the battery collected by a temperature sensorof the battery device is measured, to determine whether there is abattery temperature problem (or potential problem). At 1922, atemperature of the battery included in the battery device, as indicatedin temperature data collected by the temperature sensor of the batterydevice, is compared to a first threshold. The first threshold ispreferably set to correspond to a temperature which the battery wouldnot reach under normal circumstances, and is indicative of anoverheating condition of the battery. As an example, the first thresholdcould be set at 80° C., though any appropriate threshold value could beset. At 1924, a determination is made based on whether the temperatureof the battery exceeds the first threshold. In some implementations,1922 and 1924 could be combined or considered as a single act.

If the temperature of the battery exceeds the first threshold at 1924,the battery device sends a first alert to a telematic monitoring deviceat 1926 (e.g. by an electrical coupling or communication interfacebetween the battery device and the telematic monitoring device). At1930, the telematic monitoring device operates in a sleep mode (e.g. amode which consumes minimal power, where the telematic monitoring deviceis primarily inactive and does not or cannot send wireless signals).During operation of the telematic monitoring device in the sleep mode,at 1932 in response to the telematic monitoring device receiving thefirst alert, the telematic monitoring device transitions to operate inan awake mode in which the telematic monitoring device is operable tosend wireless signals. The telematic monitoring device then transmits asecond alert to a remote device (e.g. by a wireless communicationinterface of the telematic monitoring device). In this way, the secondalert can be actioned upon receipt by the remote device (e.g. byforwarding the second alert to another device, or by presenting thealert to an appropriate person).

As one example, the remote device could be a fleet management server.Upon receiving the second alert, the fleet management server could senda notification or alert to an available staff or support person, or toan emergency response team. Said persons could then act to prevent ormitigate damage or injury, or could contact appropriate persons or teamsto do so (e.g. a governmental Fire Department). In some implementations,the fleet management server could reach out to third parties (such as agovernmental Fire Department) automatically upon receiving the secondalert, providing a location of the alert and an automatically generatedor pre-prepared explanation of the situation.

As another example, the remote device could itself belong to a thirdparty. For example, the telematic monitoring device could automaticallysend the second alert directly to a governmental Fire Department, withlocation information and an automatically generated or pre-preparedexplanation of the situation.

If at 1924 the temperature of the battery does not exceed the firstthreshold, at 1928 the control circuitry transitions to operate in thelow-power mode. At 1936, operation of the telematic monitoring device inthe sleep mode is maintained. That is, if at 1924 the temperature of thebattery is considered safe, the control circuitry of the battery devicetransitions back to the low-power mode without sending an alert to wakeup the telematic monitoring device. This process can be repeatedindefinitely, such that the battery device operates in a cycle where thecontrol circuitry is operating in the low-power mode, and periodicallytransitions to the measurement mode to check battery temperature, thentransitions back to the low-power mode if the battery temperature iswithin a safe threshold.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart diagram which illustrates another exemplarymethod 2000 of operating any of the battery devices and/or telematicmonitoring devices described herein. Method 2000 as illustrated includesacts 1910, 2020, and 1930, as well as sub-acts 1912, 1922, 1924, 1926,2022, 2024, 2026, 2028, 1928, 1932, 1934, and 1936. One skilled in theart will appreciate that additional acts could be added, acts could beremoved, acts could be reordered, or acts could be combined asappropriate for a given application. For example, although method 2000illustrates a decision tree, the order of decisions could be altered orthe decisions could be made simultaneously. As another example, acts1910, 2020, and 1930 generally express operation of the battery deviceor telematic monitoring device in certain modes; these acts could beexpressed in combination with corresponding sub-acts 1912, 1922, 1924,1926, 2022, 2024, 2026, 2028, 1928, 1932, 1934, and 1936 (e.g. 1910,2020, or 1930 can be a state in which corresponding sub-acts areperformed). The discussion of FIG. 20 is applicable to telematicmonitoring device 210 and battery device 220 as discussed with referenceto any of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 , and 7, as well as battery device 800,900, and 1000, and control circuitry 810, power circuitry 820, and theat least one battery 830 as discussed with reference to any of FIG. 8, 9, or 10. The description is also applicable to any battery device havinga similar structure. Any such battery devices could include at least onenon-transitory processor-readable storage medium having instructionsstored thereon, wherein the instructions when executed by the controlcircuitry cause the battery device to perform appropriate acts of method2000. Further, any appropriate telematic monitoring device could includeat least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium havinginstructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions when executed byat least one processor of the telematic monitoring device cause thetelematic monitoring device to perform appropriate acts of method 2000.

Unless context dictates otherwise, the description of method 1900 inFIG. 19 is applicable to method 2000 in FIG. 20 . For example, thediscussion of acts 1910 and 1930, as well as sub-acts 1912, 1922, 1924,1926, 1928, 1932, 1934, and 1936 in method 1900 is applicable to acts orsub-acts with the same reference numeral in method 2000. Further, thediscussion of act 1920 in method 1900 is generally applicable to act2020 in method 2000, but method 2000 adds additional sub-acts 2022,2024, 2026, and 2028, discussed below.

In act 2020, if at 1924 the battery temperature does not exceed thefirst threshold, method 2000 proceeds to 2022. At 2022, the temperatureof the battery of the battery device, as indicated in temperature datacollected by the temperature sensor of the battery device, is comparedto a second threshold lower than the first threshold. The secondthreshold is preferably set to correspond to a temperature which isabnormally high for normal operation of the battery, but is not highenough to indicate an overheating condition of the battery. As anexample, for a first threshold set at 80° C., the second threshold couldbe set at 60° C., though any appropriate threshold values could be set.At 2024, a determination is made based on whether the temperature of thebattery exceeds the second threshold. In some implementations, 2022 and2024 could be combined or considered as a single act.

If the temperature of the battery exceeds the second threshold at 2024,the set period (in 1912) is set to a duration which is shorter than aninitial duration of the set period. That is, the set period mayinitially be set as a first duration, and at 2026 the set period is setat a second duration shorter than the first duration. In an exemplaryimplementation, the first duration could be 5 minutes, and the secondduration could be 1 minute. Subsequently, at 1928 the control circuitryof the battery device is transitioned to operate in the low-power mode.

Similar to as discussed with reference to method 1900 in FIG. 19 ,method 2000 can be repeated indefinitely, to provide periodic checks ofbattery temperature. However, when the set period is shortened at 2026,this will result in the control circuitry of the battery device beingtransitioned to operate in the measurement mode after a shorter amountof time than previously. That is, as a result of the comparisons anddeterminations at 1922, 1924, 2022, and 2024, if the temperature of thebattery is below the first threshold but above the second threshold,temperature of the battery will be remeasured after a shorter timeperiod than normal or by default. In this way, if the batterytemperature is relatively high (above the second threshold), but nothigh enough to warrant sending an alert (higher than the firstthreshold), measurement of the battery temperature can be scheduled tobe more frequent, to more quickly detect if the battery temperature doeseventually exceed the first threshold. This advantageously reduces powerconsumption of battery temperature measurement, until a tangible risk isidentified, at which point monitoring of the battery temperature isgiven higher priority (temperature measurement at greater frequency) inthe interests of safety.

If at 2024 the temperature of the battery does not exceed the secondthreshold, the control circuitry is transitioned to operate in thelow-power mode, without setting the set period to a duration shorterthan an initial duration as in 2026. Instead, at 2028 the set period canoptionally be reset to the initial duration as applicable, if the setperiod was previously set be shorter in 2026 (i.e. during a previousiteration of method 2000). Resetting the set period to an initialduration as in 2028 is optional in the sense that it is not necessarilyperformed in each implementation or iteration of method 2000.

In one example, once a particular battery has been measured as operatingat an abnormally high temperature, said battery may be deemed to posemore risk than other batteries, and thus may be permanently subjected tomore frequent temperature measurement.

In another example, once a battery has been measured as operating at anabnormally high temperature, it may be desirable to continue to measurethe battery temperature at increased frequency until the battery hasbeen demonstrated to operate at normal temperature for an extendedperiod of time. To achieve this, in an exemplary implementation, even ifthe temperature of the battery no longer exceeds the second threshold at2024, the set period may not be reset to an initial duration until thetemperature of the battery has been measured to be below the secondthreshold for a set number of iterations (cycles) of method 2000. Thatis, if the temperature of the battery has not exceeded the secondthreshold for a set number of comparisons to the second threshold (e.g.with one comparison per iteration of method 2000), the set period can bereset to the initial or first duration per 2028. As one example, the setperiod may not be reset at 2028 until the battery temperature has beendetermined to be below the second threshold over 10 iterations of method2000.

In another exemplary implementation, even if the temperature of thebattery no longer exceeds the second threshold at 2024, the set periodmay not be reset to an initial duration until the temperature of thebattery has been measured to be below the second threshold for anadditional period of time longer than the set period. That is, if thetemperature of the battery has not exceeded the second threshold for along enough amount of time (regardless of number of iterations of method2000), the set period can be reset to the initial or first duration per2028. As one example, the set period may not be reset at 2028 until thebattery temperature has been determined to be below the second thresholdfor an hour, multiples hours, a day, or even longer.

The discussion of FIGS. 19 and 20 references a sleep mode and an awakemode of a telematic monitoring device, and a low-power mode and ameasurement mode of a battery device. However, these modes are notnecessarily exclusive with the first mode, second mode, third mode,fourth mode, and fifth mode of the battery device discussed withreference to at least FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 earlier. Rather, themodes discussed with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20 may operate with, orbe common with, the modes discussed with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 15,and 16 . As one example, the fourth mode for the battery devicediscussed above could be harmonious with or correspond to the low-powermode of the battery device discussed with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20 .

In addition to the battery device sending an alert, as discussed above,there are alternative ways to use the devices described herein in theinterest of safety.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of an onboard telematic monitoring system2100. Telematic monitoring system 2100 is similar to telematicmonitoring systems 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 discussed earlierwith reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 , and description oftelematic monitoring systems 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 applies totelematic monitoring system 2100 unless context dictates otherwise.Telematic monitoring system 2100 includes telematic monitoring device210 and battery device 220, coupled by electrical pathways 202 and 203similar to telematic monitoring system 200. Telematic monitoring system2100 also optionally includes at least one peripheral device 430_1,electrically coupled to battery device 220 by electrical pathway 304,similar to telematic monitoring device 300. Further optionally, aplurality of peripheral devices could be included, and could be coupledin any appropriate manner similar to telematic monitoring systems 400,500, 600, and 700.

One difference between telematic monitoring system 2100 in FIG. 21 andthe other telematic monitoring systems described herein is thattelematic monitoring system 2100 includes at least one emergency userinterface. In particular, telematic monitoring device 210 is shown asincluding emergency user interface 2102, battery device 220 is shown asincluding emergency user interface 2104, and peripheral device 430_1 isshown as including emergency user interface 2106. Similar functionalitycan be achieved by any one of emergency user interfaces 2102, 2104, or2106; each of emergency user interfaces 2102, 2104, and 2106 is notrequired (though it is possible to include all emergency user interfacesin a single implementation).

FIG. 21 also illustrates optional output devices 2112, 2114, and 2116included in the respective telematic monitoring device 210, the batterydevice 220, and the peripheral device 430_1. Any of these output devicescan be used to output confirmation of an emergency message, as isdiscussed in detail later. However, inclusion of output devices isoptional, and similar functionality can be achieved by any one of outputdevices 2112, 2114, or 2116; each of output devices 2112, 2114, and 2116is not required (though it is possible to include all output devices ina single implementation).

Further, FIG. 21 also shows telematic monitoring device 210 as includingwireless communication interface 2122, battery device 220 is shown asincluding wireless communication interface 2124, and peripheral device430_1 is shown as including wireless communication interface 2126.Similar functionality can be achieved by any one of wirelesscommunication interfaces 2122, 2124, or 2126; each of wirelesscommunication interfaces 2122, 2124, and 2126 is not required (though itis possible to include all wireless communication interfaces in a singleimplementation).

Emergency user interfaces 2102, 2104, and 2106 comprise a means by whicha user can provide a simple input which indicates an emergencysituation. In an exemplary use case, if the user (e.g. vehicle driver)is involved in a collision, the user can activate the emergency userinterface to request for help. This could be useful for example if theuser is trapped or otherwise unable to access or utilize another form ofcommunication such as a cellular phone or radio device. In an exemplaryimplementation, the emergency user interfaces comprise a button ortouch-interface to be pressed when the user identifies an emergency. Inanother exemplary implementation, the emergency user interfaces comprisean audio input device sensitive to specific keywords like “emergency”,“ambulance”, “police”, or “help”, as non-limiting examples.

FIG. 22 shows a telematic monitoring system 2200 which is similar totelematic monitoring system 2100 in FIG. 21 ; description of FIG. 21 isapplicable to FIG. 22 unless context dictates otherwise. Telematicmonitoring system 2200 in FIG. 22 similarly shows emergency userinterface by which a user can provide a simple input which indicates anemergency situation. One difference between telematic monitoring system2200 and telematic monitoring system 2100 is that, in telematicmonitoring system 2200, peripheral device 430_1 is electrically coupledto telematic monitoring device 210 by electrical pathway 2202, insteadof to battery device 220 by electrical pathway 304 as in FIG. 21 .

FIG. 23 is a flowchart diagram which illustrates a method 2300 ofoperating a telematic monitoring system, such as telematic monitoringsystem 2100 in FIG. 21 or telematic monitoring system 2200 in FIG. 22 .Method 2300 as illustrated includes acts 2302, 2304, and 2306. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that additional acts could be added,acts could be removed, acts could be reordered, or acts could becombined as appropriate for a given application. For example, act 2306is an optional act that could be removed as appropriate for a givenapplication. Telematic monitoring device 210, battery device 220, andperipheral device 430_1 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 could each includeat least one processor, and could include at least one non-transitoryprocessor-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon,wherein the instructions when executed by the respective processor causethe telematic monitoring system (or appropriate components thereof) toperform appropriate acts of method 2300.

At 2302, the emergency user interface receives user input indicative ofan emergency situation. At 2304, in response to receiving the user inputindicative of the emergency situation, a wireless communicationinterface of the telematic monitoring system sends an emergency messageto be received by a remote device. Several examples are discussed below.

In a first exemplary case, with emergency user interface 2102 asincluded in telematic monitoring device 210, activation of the emergencyuser interface 2102 (as in 2302) causes at least one processor of thetelematic monitoring device to generate or retrieve an emergencymessage, and causes wireless communication interface 2122 of thetelematic monitoring device 210 to send the emergency message (as in2304). For example, the at least one processor of the telematicmonitoring device 210 can generate a message like “SOS received”, andsend this message as a high-priority alert to a remote device. Theremote device could for example be a fleet management server to whichthe telematic monitoring device 210 generally reports. The remote devicecan then direct the message to an appropriate party (e.g. a service oremergency response team), who can take appropriate action (e.g. bysending an emergency response crew, or contacting a governmentalemergency response team). Alternatively, the telematic monitoring device210 could send the emergency message directly to a governmentalemergency response body. Generally, this description of the nature ofthe emergency message, and recipients to which it can be sent, isapplicable to all implementations of sending the emergency messagediscussed herein.

In a second exemplary case, with emergency user interface 2104 asincluded in battery device 220, activation of the emergency userinterface 2104 (as in 2302) causes at least one processor or the controlcircuitry of battery device 220 to generate or retrieve an emergencymessage, and causes a communication interface of the battery device 220to send the emergency message. In one example, the emergency message canbe sent to telematic monitoring device 210, via electrical pathway 203.In response to receiving the emergency message, telematic monitoringdevice 210 can enter an awake mode (if it was in a sleep mode).Telematic monitoring device 210 can send (forward) the emergency messageas received from battery device 220 to a remote device via wirelesscommunication interface 2122 (as in 2304). Alternatively, at least oneprocessor of telematic monitoring device 210 can generate or retrieve adifferent (e.g. more specific) emergency message to send to a remotedevice by wireless communication interface 2122 similar to as discussedabove. In such cases, the concept of a device (e.g. battery device 220or peripheral device 430_1) sending an emergency message to telematicmonitoring device 210, and telematic monitoring device sending theemergency message to a remote device should not necessarily beinterpreted strictly such that the identical message as received by thetelematic monitoring device is sent to the remote device (although thisinterpretation is a possibility). In some cases, this scenario canencompass an additional act whereby the telematic monitoring deviceaugments, modifies, or generates a new emergency message for sending tothe remote device based on the emergency message received from the otherdevice (battery device 220 or peripheral device 430_1)

In a third exemplary case, with emergency user interface 2104 asincluded in battery device 220, in response to activation of emergencyuser interface 2104 (as in 2302), the battery device 220 itself couldsend the emergency message to a remote device or entity by wirelesscommunication interface 2124 (as in 2304), in a similar manner to asdiscussed above with reference to telematic monitoring device 210. Thenature of the remote entity, and the specifics of the message sentthereto, can be similar to as discussed above regarding sending anemergency message by the telematic monitoring device 210.

In a fourth exemplary case, with emergency user interface 2106 asincluded in peripheral device 430_1, activation of the emergency userinterface 2106 (as in 2302) causes at least one processor or controlcircuitry of peripheral device 430_1 to generate or retrieve anemergency message, and causes a communication interface of theperipheral device 430_1 to send the emergency message. In one example,the emergency message can be sent to telematic monitoring device 210 viabattery device 220. In particular, the emergency message can be sent tobattery device 220 by electrical pathway 304, then to telematicmonitoring device 210 by electrical pathway 203, where the emergencymessage is sent to a remote device similarly to as discussed aboveregarding telematic monitoring device 210 (as in 2304). The emergencymessage can be sent as is (i.e. forwarded), or could be augmented,modified, or used as the basis for a different emergency message whichis ultimately sent to a remote device by wireless communicationinterface 2122. Such augmentation, modification, or generation of a newemergency message could be performed by at least one processor ofbattery device 220 and/or by at least one processor of telematicmonitoring device 210.

In a fifth exemplary case, with emergency user interface 2106 asincluded in peripheral device 430_1, in response to activation ofemergency user interface 2106 (as in 2302), the emergency message can besent to battery device 220 (e.g. via electrical pathway 304 in FIG. 21), for sending to a remote device or entity by wireless communicationinterface 2124 (as in 2304), similar to as discussed above.

In a sixth exemplary case, with emergency user interface 2106 asincluded in peripheral device 430_1, in response to activation ofemergency user interface 2106 (as in 2302), the peripheral device 430_1itself could send the emergency alert to a remote device or entity, bywireless communication interface 2126 (as in 2304), similar to asdiscussed above. The nature of the remote entity, and the specifics ofthe message sent thereto, can be similar to as discussed above regardingsending an emergency message by the telematic monitoring device 210.

In a seventh exemplary case, with emergency user interface 2106 asincluded in peripheral device 430_1, in response to activation ofemergency user interface 2106 (as in 2302), the emergency message can besent to telematic monitoring device 210 (e.g. via electrical pathway2202 in FIG. 22 ), for sending to a remote device or entity by wirelesscommunication interface 2124 (as in 2304), similar to as discussedabove.

In some implementations, peripheral device 430_1 could be a dedicatedemergency device. For example, peripheral device 430_1 could be a devicehaving a button, coupled to battery device 220 by at least one wire orelectrical pathway. Peripheral device 430_1 could be positioned in aconvenient or easy to reach position in a vehicle, such as on a dash ofthe vehicle, even if telematic monitoring device 210 and/or batterydevice 220 are positioned in a difficult place to reach.

Advantageously, by including any of emergency user interfaces 2102,2104, or 2106 in tandem with a battery backup (such as battery device220), an emergency message can be sent even if a vehicle or connectionis damaged such that telematic monitoring device 210 can no longerreceive power from a vehicle. For example, in a collision, a vehiclebattery could be destroyed, or a connection between telematic monitoringdevice 210 and vehicle power could be disrupted or severed. In suchcases, the telematic monitoring device 210 may still be connected tobattery device 220, which can provide power to enable sending of anemergency message.

As mentioned above, FIGS. 21 and 22 also illustrate output devices 2112,2114, and 2116 included in the respective telematic monitoring device210, the battery device 220, and the peripheral device 430_1. At 2306 inmethod 2300 illustrated in FIG. 3 , any of these output devices canoutput confirmation of an emergency message. As examples ofconfirmation, such confirmation could include a confirmation that theuser emergency input was received, confirmation that an emergencymessage was sent, or confirmation that a response to the emergencymessage was received and/or that help is on the way. As a specificexample, any of wireless communication interfaces 2122, 2124, or 2126could receive a response message from the remote device, which confirmsthat the emergency message was received by the remote device. Theresponse message could further confirm action taken based on theemergency message. Such confirmation can help to ease the mind of theuser. As examples of devices, output devices 2112, 2114, and 2116 caninclude an audio output device which outputs an audible confirmation,and/or output devices 2112, 2114, and 2116 can include visual outputdevice which outputs a visual confirmation. In some implementations,devices 2112, 2114, or 2116 could include two-way audio input and audiooutput devices, which allow the user to provide additional informationon the emergency. Such additional information could be sent as a message(for example to a remote device, or to an emergency response agency). Insome implementations, any of devices 210, 220, or 230 could open acommunication pipeline (e.g. a phone call or VOIP call) which allows theuser to speak directly to a representative or emergency service person.Such a communication pipeline does not have to be directly establishedon the same device which includes the emergency user input interface. Inan exemplary implementation, battery device 220 includes emergency userinput interface 2104 and audio input and output device 2114, but doesnot include wireless communication interface 2124, whereas telematicmonitoring device 210 does not include emergency user input 2102 oraudio input or output device 2112 but includes wireless communicationinterface 2122. In such an implementation, in response to a useractivating emergency user interface 2104, telematic monitoring device210 can open a communication line (e.g. a cellular or VOIP call) bywireless communication interface 2122 thereof, and can provide access tothis communication line to battery device 220. That is, battery device220 can receive audio input from the user, and send this input totelematic monitoring device 210 for transmission to a recipient of thecall. Likewise, telematic monitoring device 210 can receive audio from arecipient of the call, and send this audio to battery device 220 foroutput to the user.

While the present invention has been described with respect to thenon-limiting embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited to the disclosed embodiments. Persons skilled in the artunderstand that the disclosed invention is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope ofthe appended claims. Thus, the present invention should not be limitedby any of the described embodiments.

Throughout this specification and the appended claims, infinitive verbforms are often used, such as “to operate” or “to couple”. Unlesscontext dictates otherwise, such infinitive verb forms are used in anopen and inclusive manner, such as “to at least operate” or “to at leastcouple”.

The specification includes various implementations in the form of blockdiagrams, schematics, and flowcharts. A person of skill in the art willappreciate that any function or operation within such block diagrams,schematics, and flowcharts can be implemented by a wide range ofhardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. As non-limitingexamples, the various embodiments herein can be implemented in one ormore of: application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), standardintegrated circuits (ICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs),field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), computer programs executed byany number of computers or processors, programs executed by one or morecontrol units or processor units, firmware, or any combination thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a telematic monitoringsystem including a telematic monitoring device and a battery deviceelectrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, the batterydevice including at least one battery, the battery device capable ofproviding power to the telematic monitoring device if power from avehicle is unavailable, the battery device including an emergency userinterface, and the telematic monitoring device including a wirelesscommunication interface, the method comprising: receiving, by theemergency user interface, user input indicative of an emergencysituation; and in response to the emergency user interface receiving theuser input indicative of the emergency situation, sending an emergencymessage from the battery device to the telematic monitoring device, andsending, by the wireless communication interface of the telematicmonitoring device, the emergency message to be received by a remotedevice.
 2. A method of operating a telematic monitoring system includinga telematic monitoring device, a battery device electrically coupled tothe telematic monitoring device, and a peripheral device electricallycoupled to the battery device, the battery device including at least onebattery, the battery device capable of providing power to the telematicmonitoring device if power from a vehicle is unavailable, the batterydevice including a wireless communication interface, and the peripheraldevice including an emergency user interface, the method comprising:receiving, by the emergency user interface, user input indicative of anemergency situation; and in response to the emergency user interfacereceiving the user input indicative of the emergency situation, sendingan emergency message from the peripheral device to the battery device,and sending, by the wireless communication interface of the batterydevice, the emergency message to be received by a remote device.
 3. Amethod of operating a telematic monitoring system including a telematicmonitoring device, a battery device electrically coupled to thetelematic monitoring device, and a peripheral device electricallycoupled to the battery device, the battery device including at least onebattery, the battery device capable of providing power to the telematicmonitoring device if power from a vehicle is unavailable, the telematicmonitoring device including a wireless communication interface, and theperipheral device including an emergency user interface, the methodcomprising: receiving, by the emergency user interface, user inputindicative of an emergency situation; and in response to the emergencyuser interface receiving the user input indicative of the emergencysituation, sending an emergency message from the peripheral device tothe telematic monitoring device via the battery device, and sending, bythe wireless communication interface of the telematic monitoring device,the emergency message to be received by a remote device.